Adhiṭṭhāna

This article is about the term "adhiṭṭhāna" as used within the Pali tradition. For the equivalent term in the Sanskrit tradition, see adhiṣṭhāna.

Adhiṭṭhāna (Pali) is translated as "decision," "resolution," "self-determination," "will," etc. Adhiṭṭhāna is one of the ten paramis of the Pali tradition.

The Buddhist Dictionary states:

adhiṭṭhāna, as a doctrinal term, occurs chiefly in two meanings:

(1) ‘Foundation’: four ‘foundations’ of an arahat’s mentality, mentioned and explained in MN 140: the foundation of wisdom (paññā), of truthfulness (sacca), of liberality (cāga) and of peace (upasama). See also DN 33 and its Commentary.

(2) ‘Determination’, resolution, in: adhiṭṭhāna-iddhi, ‘magical power of determination’ (see iddhi); adhiṭṭhānapāramī, ‘perfection of resolution’ (see pāramī).

Etymology

• Adhi can mean "foundational" or "beginning"
• Sthā can mean "standing"

Sources

• Nyanatiloka Thera (2019), Nyanaponika Thera, ed., Buddhist Dictionary: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines, Pariyatti Publishing 
• "Adhitthana," Dhammawiki