Section 4: Categories of mental factors
Consciousness arises and falls away accompanied by groups of mental factors which vary, depending on the nature and function of the consciousness in which they arise. Abhidhamma, however, is not concerned just with analysing and listing these mental factors. These can themselves be grouped in different ways to aid understanding of other functions and processes. The first essay discusses three such groupings: the 'five factors of experiencing objects' (called the sense pentad in section 5.3); the jhana factors or the 'five intensifying factors'; and the five hindrances. The second essay discusses another grouping of mental factors, the five faculties (indriya).