Chitta (Buddhism)

Citta (Pali and Sanskrit: 𑀘𑀺𑀢𑁆𑀢, pronounced chitta) is one of three overlapping terms used in the Nikaya to refer to the mind, the others being manas and viññāṇa.

[2] The Pali–English Dictionary translates citta as heart or heart-mind, emphasizing it as more the passionate side of the mind, as opposed to manas as the intellect that grasps mental objects (dhamma).

[5] Citta is classified as a khandha (or skandha), specifically as one of three types of saṅkhārā[6] (kāyasaṅkhāro, vacīsaṅkhāro, cittasaṅkhāro; body, speech, mind) and is included in descriptions of the dependent origination (paticcasamuppada) formula in several suttas of the Pali Canon's Majjhima Nikāya[7][8] and Saṃyutta Nikāya.

[11] The complex causal nexus of volitions (or intentions) that one experiences continuously conditions one's thoughts, speech, and actions.

One may "make citta turn according to" his wishes most effectively by developing skill in meditative concentration, which brings mental calm and clarity.

[19] Citta as a mindset can become "contracted" (i.e. unworkable), "distracted", "grown great", "composed", or the opposite of such qualities (M.I.59).