Introduction

The meaning of Matika

1. Kusala Tika
2. Vedana Tika
3. Vipaka Tika
4. Upinna Tika
5. Samkilittha Tika
6. Vitakka Tika
7. Pati Tika
8. Dassana Tika
9. Dassanahetuka Tika
10. Acayagami Tika
11. Sekkha Tika
12. Paritta Tika
13. Parittarammana Tika
14. Hina Tika
15. Micchatta Tika
16. Maggarammana Tika
17. Uppann Tika
18. Atata Tika
19. Atatirammana Tika
20. Ajjhatta Tika
21. Ajjhattarammana Tika
22. Sanidassana Tika
23.
 Introduction
In this easy I am going to write about Matika. The Matika will be talk about Kusala
and Akusala wholesome and unwholesome. Matika have
 Matika
The Dhammasangani enumerates all the dhammas (phenomena) all
categories of nama, namely, Consciousness and mental concomitant, and, rupa,
Corporeality. Having enumerated the phenomena, they are arranged under different
heads to bring out their exact nature, function and mutual relationship both
internally (in our own being) and with the outside world. The Dhammasangani
begins with a complete list of heads called the Matika. The Matika serves as a
classified table of mental constituents treated not only in the Dhammasangani but
in the entire system of the Abhidhamma.
The Matika consists altogether of one hundred and twenty two groups, of which
the first twenty two are called the Tikas or Triads, those that are divided under
three heads; and the remaining one hundred are called the Dukas or Dyads, those
that are divided under two heads.
1. Kusala Tika
(i) Kusala dhamma, States that are good. Dhammas that are wholesome.
The wholesome of the four spheres, these dhammas are wholesome.
(ii) Akusala Damma, Dhamma that are Unwholesome.
Akusala mean concentration of kusala. Kusala means meritorious, wholesome
or moral. So akusala is demeritorious, unwholesome or immoral. All types of
akusala are with fault and bring about ill (bad) results.1
(iii) Abyakata dhamma, indeterminate.
Which dhammas are indeterminate? The resultants of the four spheres, the
indeterminate functional of the three spheres, matter, and Nibbana. These
dhammas are indeterminate.

2. Vedana2 Tika
(i) Sukhaya vedanaya sampayutta dhamma. Dhammas associated with
pleasant feeling.
Which dhammas are associated with pleasant feeling? From the sense-sphere
wholesome, four consciousnesses accompanied by pleasure; from the
1
Venerable Sayadaw Dr. Nandamalabhivamsa, Fundamental Abhidhamma, (Yangon 2015) p. 30.
2
In the Khandha classification, these two mental factors are classified as separate khandha.
unwholesome four; six from the resultants of the sense-sphere wholesome and five
from the functional; three or four fine-material-sphere jhanas from the wholesome;
three or four fine-material-sphere jhanas from the resultants; and three or four fine-
material-sphere jhanas from the functional; three or four supramundane jhanas
from the wholesome; three or four supramundane jhanas from the resultants;
except pleasant feeling arising in them. These dhammas are associated with
pleasant feeling.
(ii) Dukkhaya3 Vedanaya Sampayutta Dhamm, Dhammas associated with
unpleasant feeling.
Which dhammas are associated with unpleasant feeling? Two consciousness
accompanied by displeasure and body consciousness accompanied by pain, except
unpleasant feeling arising in them. These dhammas are associated with pleasant
feeling.
(iii) Adukkhamasukhaya Vedanaya Sampayutta Dhamma, Dhammas
associated with neither unpleasant nor pleasant feeling.
Which dhammas are associated with neither pleasant nor unpleasant feeling?
From the sense-sphere wholesome, four consciousnesses accompanied by
indifference; six from the unwholesome; ten from the resultants of sense-sphere
wholesome; six from the resultants of the unwholesome; six from the functional;
the fourth fine-material- sphere jhana from the wholesome, the fourth fine-
material-sphere jhÈna from the resultants, the fourth fine-material-sphere jhana
from the functional; four immaterial (jhanas) from the wholesome, four immaterial
(jhanas) from the resultants, four immaterial (jhanas) from the functional; and the
fourth supramundane jhÈna from the wholesome and the fourth supramundane
jhÈna from the resultants; except the neither pleasant nor unpleasant feeling arising
in them – these dhammas are associated with neither pleasant nor unpleasant
feeling. The three feelings, matter and Nibbana, these dhammas should not be said
to be either associated with pleasant feeling or associated with unpleasant feeling
or associated with neither pleasant nor unpleasant feeling.
3. Vipaka4 Tika
3
Vitakka (sammasa~kappa) can associate only with 1st jhana supramundane consciousnesses. From 2nd jhana
supramundane consciousness onwards, vitakka does not associate. Therefore each path will be either associated
with 8 or 7 path factors.
4
The dhamma involved in ‘Free from Truth’ are from lokuttara citta and cetasika. Among them, Phalacittuppada
(phala citta and cetasika associated with them) are always saccamuttaka. In case of lokuttara citta, the 8 cetasikas
of eightfold noble path are magga sacca; the remaining cetasika as well as the magga citta are ‘free from truth’.
 (i) Vipaka dhamma, Dhammas that are results
Which dhammas are results? The resultants in the four planes, these dhammas are
results.
(ii) Vipaka-dhamma-dhamma, Dhammas that have the nature of giving
results.
Which dhammas have the nature of giving results? The wholesome in the four
planes and the unwholesome - these dhammas have the nature of giving results.
(iii) Nevavipakanavipakadhammadhamma, Dhammas that are neither results
nor have the nature of giving results.
Which dhammas are neither results nor have the nature of giving results? The
indeterminate functional in three planes, matter and NibbÈna, these dhammas are
neither result nor have the nature of giving results.
4. Upadinna Tika
(i) Upadinnupadaniya Dhamma, Dhammas that are clung kamma born as
5

well as objects of clinging.

Which dhammas are clung kamma born and taken by clinging? The resultant in
three spheres and matter born of kamma, these dhammas are clung kamma born
and taken by clinging.
(ii) Anupadinnupadaniya dhamma, Dhammas that are not clung kamma born
but taken by clinging.
Which dhammas are not kamma results but taken by clinging? The wholesome in
three planes, the unwholesome, the indeterminate functional in three planes and
matter not born of kamma. These dhammas are not kamma results but taken by
clinging.
(iii) Anupadinna-anupadaniya dhamma6, Dhamma which are neither clung
kamma-born nor are objects of Clinging.
5
Here a question may be asked: Why not magga sacca included in this pada? The answer should be given thus:
Magga can be classified into ‘Lokiya Magga’ and ‘Lokuttara Magga’. While picking up realities for Magga Sacca, we
need to pick them up from the Lokuttara Magga. In the classification of Truths, ‘magga’ means the eight magga
cetasikas that associate with magga cittas. Therefore, when they accompany mundane consciousnesses, they are
called magga but not Magga Sacca. It should be noted that while in the section on the requisites of enlightenment,
the eight path factors may be either mundane or supramundane, in the teaching of the Four Noble Truths they are
exclusively supramundane (Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma [MOA] 289).
6
Nibbana cannot be classified as any of the 11 categories: far and near, subtle and gross; past, present, future, etc.
Therefore, it is free from aggregates.
Which dhammas are neither kamma results nor taken by clinging? The Unincluded
four Paths, the four Fruits of Recluseship and Nibbana. These dhammas are neither
kamma results nor taken by clinging.
5. Samkilittha Tika
(i) Samkilitthasamkilesika Dhamma, unwholesome consciousnesses and
associated mental factors, these dhammas are accompanied by
defilements and taken by defilementsare also objects of Defilements.
Which dhammas are accompanied by defilements and taken by defilements?
Twelve unwholesome consciousnesses and associated mental factors, these
dhammas are accompanied by defilements and taken by defilements.
(ii) Asamkilitthasamkilesika dhamma, Dhammas that are not accompanied
by defilements but taken by defilements or Dhamma which are not
defiled but are objects of Defilements.
Which dhammas are not accompanied by defilements but taken by defilements?
The wholesome in three spheres, the resultant in three spheres, the indeterminate
functional in three spheres and all matter. These dhammas are not accompanied by
defilements but taken by defilements.
(iii) Asamkilittha-asamkilesika dhamma, Dhammas that are neither
accompanied by defilements nor taken by defilements or Dhamma which
are neither defiled nor are objects of Defilements.
Which dhammas are neither accompanied by defilements nor taken by
defilements? The Unincluded four Paths, the four Fruits of Recluseship and
NibbÈna, these dhammas are neither accompanied by defilements nor taken by
defilements.
6. Vitakka Tika
(i) Savitakkasavicara dhamma.
Dhammas with initial application & sustained application or Dhamma associated
with initial application of the mind and sustained application of the mind.
(ii) Avitakkavicaramatta dhamma.
Dhammas without initial application but with sustained application or Dhamma not
associated with initial application of the mind but merely with sustained
application of the mind.
 (iii) Avitakka-avicara dhamma.
Dhammas without initial application and without sustained application or Dhamma
not associated with both initial application of the mind and sustained application of
the mind.
7. Piti Tika
(i) Pitisahagata dhamma.
Dhammas accompanied by zest or Dhamma which arise together with Delightful
Satisfaction.
(ii) Sukhasahagata dhamma.
Dhamma which arise together with happiness.
(iii) Upekkhasahagata dhamma.
Dhamma which arise together with Equanimity.
8. Dassana Tika
(i) Dassanena pahatabba dhamm.
Dhammas that are eradicated by vision or Dhamma which are eliminated by
Sotapatti Magga.
(ii) Bhavanaya pahatabba dhamma.
Dhammas that are eradicated by cultivation or Dhammas which are eliminated by
the three higher Maggas.
(iii) Neva dassanena na bhavanaya pahatabba dhamma.
Dhammas that are neither eradicated by seeing nor by developing or Dhamma
which are neither eliminated by Sotapatti Magga nor by the three higher Maggas.
9. Dassanahetuka Tika
(i) Dassanena pahatabbahetuka dhamma.
Dhammas that have root which are eradicated by vision or Dhamma with root
causes eliminated by Sotapatti Magga.
(ii) Bhavanaya pahatabbahetuka dhamma.
Dhammas with root which are eradicated by cultivation or Dhamma with root
causes eliminated by the three higher Maggas.
 (iii) Neva dassanena na bhavanaya pahatabbahetuka dhamma.
Dhammas that are neither ‘dhamma with root causes which are eradicated by
vision’, nor ‘dhammÈ with root causes which are eradicated by cultivation.
10. Acayagami Tika
(i) Acayagamino dhamma.
Dhammas that lead to accumulation or Dhamma which leads to piling up of rebirth
and death.
(ii) Apacayagamino dhamma.
Dhammas that lead to realization of Nibbana.
Which are the dhammas that do not lead to accumulation? The four Paths that
belong to the Unincluded. These dhammas do not lead to accumulation.
(iii) Nevacayagaminopacayagamino dhamma.
Dhammas that neither lead to accumulation nor to freedom from accumulation.
Which are the dhammas that neither lead to accumulation nor to freedom from
accumulation? The resultant in the four planes, the indeterminate functional in
three planes, matter and Nibbāna, these are the dhammas that neither lead to
accumulation nor to freedom from accumulation.

11.Sekkha Tika
(i) Sekkha dhamma.
Dhammas that belong to trainees or DhammÈ which are the mental properties of
ariyas who are still training themselves for arahantship.
(ii) Asekkha dhamma.
Dhammas that belong to non-trainees or Dhamma which are the mental properties
of ariyas who have completed their training.
(iii) Nevasekkhanasekkha dhamma.
Dhammas that neither belong to trainees nor belong to non-trainees or Dhamma
which are neither the mental properties of ariyas still training themselves for
Arahatship nor of ariyas who have completed their training.
12.ParittaTika
 (i) Paritta dhamma.
Dhammas that are limited or Dhamma of limited efficacy.
(ii) Mahaggata dhamma.
Dhammas that are sublime or Dhamma of lofty attainments.
(iii) Appamana dhamma.
Dhammas that are illimitable or Dhamma which are incomparable.
13.Parittarammana Tika
(i) Parittarammana dhamma.
Dhammas that have a limited object or Dhamma which have object of limited
efficacy.
(ii) Mahaggatarammana dhamma.
Dhammas that have sublime object or DhammÈ which have lofty attainments as
object.
(iii) Appamanarammana dhamma.
Dhammas that have an illimitable object or Dhamma which have incomparable
dhamma as object.
14. Hina Tika
(i) Hina dhamma. Inferior dhamm.
Which dhammas are inferior? The twelve unwholesome consciousnesses, these
dhammas are inferior.
(ii) Majjhima dhamma. Medium dhamma.
Which dhammas are medium? The wholesome in three planes, the resultant in
three planes, the indeterminate functional in three planes and all matter. These
dhammas are medium.
(iii) Panita dhamma. Superior dhamma.
Which dhammas are superior? The Unincluded four Paths, the four Fruits of
Recluseship and Nibbāna. These dhammas are superior.
15. MicchattaTika
 (i) Micchattaniyata dhamma.
The wrong dhammas which are fixed or which unfailingly produce results
(immediately after death).

(ii) Sammattaniyata dhamma.

The right dhammas that are fixed or Right dhamma which unfailingly produce
results (immediately after the arising of those dhamma).
(iii) Aniyata dhamma.
Dhammas that are not fixed or Dhamma which do not unfailingly produce results
(immediately after the arising of those dhamma).
16. Maggarammana Tika.
(i) Maggarammana dhamma.
Dhammas that have the Path as object.
(ii) Maggahetuka dhamma.
Dhammas that have the Path as condition or Dhamma which have Magga as root
cause: same as above.
(iii) Maggadhipatino dhamma.
Dhamma that have Magga as predominant factor.
17. Uppanna Tika
(i) Uppanna dhamma.
Dhammas that have arisen or Dhamma which are in the process of arising.

(ii) Anuppann dhamma.

Dhamma which have not yet arisen.
(iii) Uppadino dhamma.
Dhammas that are liable to arise or Dhamma which will definitely arise.
18. Atita Tika
 (i) Atita dhamma.
Dhammas that are past. Except Nibbāna all dhammas are sometimes past,
sometimes future and sometimes present. Nibbāna cannot be said as past, future or
present.
(ii) Anagata dhamma.
Dhammas that are future. Except Nibbāna all dhammas sometimes are past,
sometimes future and sometimes present. Nibbāna cannot be said as past or future
or present.
(iii) Paccuppanna dhamma.
Dhammas that are present. Except Nibbāna all dhammas sometimes are past,
sometimes future and sometimes present. Nibbāna cannot be said as past or future
or present.
19. Atitarammana Tika
(i) Atitarammana dhamma.
Dhammas that have past object. Which dhammas have past object? The base of
infinite consciousness and the base of neither-perception-nor-non-perception –
these dhammas have past object.
(ii) Anagatarammana dhamma.
Dhammas that have future object. There are no particular dhammÈ which always
have future objects.
(iii) Paccuppannarammana dhamma.
Dhammas that have present object.
20. Ajjhatta Tika
(i) Ajjhatta dhamma.
Dhamma that are internal. Except Nibbāna and inanimate matter, all dhammas
sometimes are internal, sometimes external and sometimes both internal and
external. Nibbāna and inanimate matter are external.
(ii) Bahiddha dhamma.
Dhammas that are external. Except Nibbāna and inanimate matter, all dhammas
sometimes are internal, sometimes external and sometimes both internal and
external. Nibbāna and inanimate matter are external.
(iii)Ajjhattabahiddh dhamma.
Dhammas that are both internal and external. Except Nibbāna and inanimate
matter, all dhammas sometimes are internal, sometimes external and sometimes
both internal and external. Nibbāna and inanimate matter are external.
21. Ajjhattarammana Tika
(i) Ajjhattarammana dhamma.
Dhamma which have internal things as objects. Which dhammas have internal
object? The base of infinite consciousness and the base of neither-perception-nor-
non-perception – these dhammas have internal object.
(ii) Bahiddharammana dhamma.
Dhamma that have external things as objects.
(iii) Ajjhattabahiddharammana dhamma.
Dhamma which have internal and external things as objects.
22. Sanidassana Tika
(i) Sanidassanasappatigha dhamma.
Dhammas that are visible and with impact. Which dhammas are visible and with
impact? The visible form base – these dhammas are visible and with impact.
(ii) Anidassanasappatigha dhamma.
Dhammas that are not visible but with impact or Dhamma which are not visible but
which arise with impingement. Which dhammas are not visible but with impact?
Eye base, ear base, nose base, tongue base, body base, sound base, smell base, taste
base and tangible base. These dhammas are not visible but with impact.
(iii) Anidassana-appatigha dhamma.
Dhammas that are neither visible nor with impact, or Dhamma which are neither
visible nor arise with impingement. Which dhammas are neither visible nor with
impact? The wholesome in the four planes, the unwholesome, the resultant in the
four planes, the indeterminate functional in three planes, non-visible-and-without-
impact matter that is included in the mental object base and Nibbāna. These
dhammas are neither visible nor with impact.
There are Matika as I am understanding when I am learning about Abhidhhama
origins and development.