Summary: Āyatanapaññatti is the second of the six kinds of designation defined in the Puggalapaññatti. It refers to the conceptual labeling and description of the twelve sense bases (āyatana) that facilitate the process of cognition. (Pp 1, 4)
Canonical locus
The Puggalapaññatti defines this designation immediately after the aggregates, following the standard Abhidhamma subject order. (Pp 1)
Pp 1.1 (pp1.1:4.1)
Kittāvatā āyatanānaṁ āyatanapaññatti?
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"In how many ways is there a designation of sense bases for the sense bases?"
Analysis
Āyatanapaññatti covers the description of the twelve gateways of experience: (Pp 4)
- Six Internal Bases: Eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind.
- Six External Bases: Form, sound, odor, flavor, tangible object, and mental object.
By including this in its opening matrix, the Puggalapaññatti frames its analysis of person-types within the functional process of sensory experience. A "person" is conceptually built upon the foundation of these twelve interacting bases. (Pp 1, 4)
Textual notes
- This designation provides the process-oriented framework that complements the component-oriented framework of the aggregates.
- It affirms that "seeing", "hearing", and "thinking" are impersonal base-functions before they are attributed to a "person".
Related concepts
Related pages
- puggalapannatti (text)
- vibhanga