Beyond mindfulness: Buddhist psychology and the Abhidharma

Figures & data

Table 1. Four planes of consciousness described in the Abhidharma

1	Sense-sphere consciousness	Generally linked with sensory desires
2	Fine-material-sphere consciousness	Attained through meditation focussed on material phenomena (e.g. the breath)
3	Immaterial-sphere consciousness	Attained through meditation focussed on non-material phenomena (e.g. infinity)
4	Supra-mundane consciousness	Supersedes other levels and is linked with the cessation of suffering or nirvana.

Table 2. Sequence of purifications leading to insight in the Abhidharma

1	Purification of virtue
2	Purification of mind
3	Purification of view
4	Purification by mastering doubt
5	Purification by knowledge of the eightfold path
6	Purification by knowledge of the way
7	Purification by vision and knowledge (i.e. the supra-mundane path).