Abhidhamma is colossal and any attempt at simplifying it is difficult, simply because of the fact that Abhidhamma in Buddhist Terminology is an attempt to finely describe the working of the mind.
It is a conceptual framework of “phenomena of existence” of physical and mental formations i.e; analysis of mental phenomena and their conditioning.
This analysis is the basis for expounding the very nature of existence of the being (Bhava) conditioned by Anitta (impermanence), Dukka (unsatisfactoriness based on impermanence) and hence Anatma (selflessness).
The expression of this at fine mental formation is Upppada (origin), (rising to a peak) and Bhanga (dissolution) of one thought moment to another with similar onset, crescendo and cessation; i.e; in other words “a state of flux” of mental formation and dissolution. This formation does not end at physical death but extends into the next round of existence in Bhava.
The mental process is described as a stream (Bhavanga Sota) which invariably accompany the being.
One experiences only one thought moment at any particular time and no two thought moments coexist. Because of the randomness and the speed of onset and dissolution one cannot hold onto a thought moment, unless in "Deep Meditation".
Each thought moment hangs onto some kind of object. No consciousness arises without the attachment to an object either physical or mental.
When a person is fast asleep and is in a dreamless state he experiences a kind of consciousness which is more passive than active (please note that there is no mention about subconsciousness in Abhidhamma akin to Freudian analysis).
The consciousness at the time of conception and at the final moment of death are described in Abhidhamma.
The type of consciousness in Abhidhamma Terminolgy is Bhavanga Stream of thought moments.
Like any other consciousness it consists of genesis (Uppada), steady state (Thiti) and cessation (Bhanga).
Arising and perishing it flows on like a stream not remaining the same for two consecutive thought moments.
According to Abhidhamma, two types of consciousness does not exist (conscious and subconscious).
Bhavanga Stream has no sub-planes but a continuous stream of existence.
In Abhidhamma the word that aptly describe the state of the mind is Javana or running (there is no exact English rendering). This Javana thought moment lasts seven thought moments in life or at the time of death five thought moments.
Javana state is arrested by Thadarammana when an object of attachment to either physical or mental is ensued and momentary attention is registered. This thought process consists of two thought moments.
The death occurs immediately after the Cuti consciousness.
Cuti and Patisandhi are continuous, within the same thought moment and there is no room for Untharbhava in Abhidhamma.
It lapses into Bhavanga Sota of enormity or Samsara Stream which each one owns with neither beginning nor end. Because of this continuity a false sense of belonging and the concept of self is born with strong attachment, which in Dhamma sense is a grand illusion.
A super being cannot pardon actions (Kusala or Akusala) of a being or arrest this process.
Though, with death, the physical body disintegrates and the flow of consciousness temporarily ceases yet the stream is not annihilated as the Kammic Forces propel it forwards.
Death is only a prelude to Rebirth.
As Patisandhi (relinking) is the initial thought moment of life so Cuti the final thought moment.
They are the entry point and exist point of a particular life.
Cuti occurs between Javana and Patisandhi, Thadarammana and Patisandhi and Bhananga and Patisandhi.
So the Samsara is the conditional existence (sort of cause and effect process) of beings, all inclusive (not only human but Deva and Preta included) .
The goal of Buddhist practice is to strive for unconditional existence of the mental capacity (not a zero sum state) or the Bliss without attachment (Tanha) or Nirvana.
Way to achieve this is by one’s own effort of meditation (not just meditation) with clear understanding of the above premises of Anitta, Dukka and Anatma.
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