In this paper, I examined the character of adhimutti (Skt. adhimukti) by paying attention to the examples of hīnādhimuttika / hīnādhimutta used in the Pali literature of the Theravāda Buddhism. Looking at the example of using hīnadhimuttika / hīnadhimutta as a word derived from Tatpuruṣa, it is considered that “inferior” (hīna) refers to something that does not lead to liberation or nirvana (Brahmaloka, kāmaguṇa, etc.). And I also pointed out that Vibh-a et al. understand ajjhāsaya ( adhimutti) as a mental element rather than an act or a work of the mind by referring to the Dhātusaṃyutta in the Pali Canon. According to Pali commentaries, it is adhimutti that determines, for example, that a person sīlavant approaches only sīlavant. The cases of hīnādhimuttika / hīnādhimutta in the Pali literature show the following. adhimutti has the aspect of “work of the mind” that sets one’s mind to the inferior thing (hīna) and has the aspect of “mental element” of a person who proactively approaches only those who have the same inferior (hīna) adhimutti. In short, adhimutti in the Pali literature is used from two different aspects: mental behavior and temperament.
