The objects to be observed are the five aggregates, and the observing wisdom consists of these five Path factors. When we condense the three baskets of scripture (Tipitaka), it comes down to the five aggregates. #Is_there_anything_else_to_observe_besides_these_five_aggregates?
We sit in meditation to know these aggregates, walk meditation to know these aggregates, stand to know these aggregates, and lie down to know these aggregates. We thought we were a person, but what we find is just five aggregates.
Don't we experience stiffness, aches, pains, heat, cold, itching, and numbness while meditating? These are all manifestations of the aggregates. Isn't this worth contemplating?
When sitting and feeling itchy, do you like it or not? Can you command "Don't itch while I'm meditating"? Is that "I" real or not? It's not "I" at all. Sometimes there's tingling - can you command it to stop?
Sometimes there's pressure, pain, dizziness - does it happen according to your will? Is it "I" or not? These are #manifestations_of_the_aggregates. People don't recognize this as Dhamma, you see?
Don't we need to know what the aggregates are showing us? When we examine everything closely, is it stiffness or change? Is it tingling or change? Is it pain or change? Is it pressure or change? Is it itching or change?
#Besides_the_changing_nature_and_the_knowing_nature_is_there_anything_else? There are only these two. Don't these changing phenomena cease? Doesn't the knowing also cease? This arising and passing away - what Truth is it? (It's the Truth of Suffering, Venerable Sir).
Ah, we live daily with these suffering phenomena. Only during sleep is there a break, and even then, the bhavanga consciousness doesn't know anything. From the moment we wake up, at any time we look, not one thing the aggregates show us is pleasant. Isn't this worth contemplating?
We need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of these aggregates. When we understand this, we realize:
- For clothing, it's enough just to cover ourselves modestly
- For shelter, it's enough to have protection from rain, sun, and wind
- For food, it's enough to fill the stomach
#Isn't_this_sufficient_for_contentment?
Is there any need for extra embellishments and decorations? No matter how much we decorate and beautify, can we escape aging, sickness, and death? Can we stop aging? Can we avoid sickness? Can we escape death? No, we cannot. Isn't this worth contemplating? Study this. This needs to be examined carefully.
#We_need_to_understand_this_Dhamma_every_day_and_moment. That's why the Mogok Sayadaw repeatedly reminded us: "Listen to the Dhamma with your ears, but turn your wisdom toward the aggregates."
When wisdom turns toward the aggregates, do you still find the humans, devas, and brahmas you thought existed? What you find is not humans, devas, or brahmas, but just the five aggregates. #You_only_find_aggregates. Think about this.
If so, is there anything left of what you thought existed? When this becomes crystal clear in your mind and wisdom, #is_there_anything_left_to_cling_to? No, there isn't. Isn't this worth studying?
