Direct Instruction Script: Saṅkhārakkhandha (Mental Formations)

Introduction

Learning Goal & Relevance:
Today, we will explore the concept of Saṅkhārakkhandha, which refers to mental formations or volitional activities. Understanding mental formations is essential as they influence our thoughts, actions, and ultimately our experiences in life. Recognizing the nature of these formations helps us cultivate wholesome qualities and work towards personal liberation.

Behavior Expectations:
Please listen attentively, participate actively by responding when called upon, and feel free to ask questions if something is unclear.

Background Knowledge Activation

Quick Review or Bridge:
Think about a time when you made a conscious decision based on your feelings or thoughts. What thoughts or intentions influenced that decision? Let’s take a moment to discuss in pairs what factors you think contributed to your choices.

Modeling / Think-Aloud

“I Do” Demonstration:
Now, I will explain the concept of Saṅkhārakkhandha. This term encompasses all mental factors except for vedanā (feelings) and saññā (perceptions).

• Cetanā (volition) is the driving force behind our actions. For example, when you decide to help a friend, that decision is a mental formation.
• Phassa (contact) refers to the interaction between our senses and the world around us. Think of it as the moment you touch something warm and recognize it immediately.
• Manasikāra (attention) is the focus we give to certain thoughts or experiences, like when you concentrate on an important conversation.
• Vitakka (initial application) and Vicāra (sustained application) involve how we bring our focus to an idea or thought and then maintain that focus over time.

Let’s remember: All aggregates, including mental formations, share three key characteristics: anicca (impermanence), dukkha (unsatisfactoriness), and anattā (non-self).

Examples & Nonexamples

Range of Examples:

• Kusala (wholesome) factors: Acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity.
• Akusala (unwholesome) factors: Anger, greed, and resentment.
• Abyākata (neutral) factors: Indifference or neutrality in situations.

Nonexamples (Counterexamples):

• An example of akusala might be deciding to gossip about someone—this is an unwholesome mental formation.
• A nonexample could be a thought that neither helps nor harms, such as merely observing the weather without any emotional engagement.

Student Responses & Feedback

Frequent Checks:
Now, I want you to think of an example of a kusala mental formation. Turn to your partner and share your examples.

Affirmative & Corrective Feedback:
Great job sharing! If anyone mentioned an example that seems neutral or unwholesome, let’s discuss why that is. Remember, we want to focus on those thoughts and actions that lead to positive outcomes.

Practice Opportunities

Guided Practice (“We Do”):
Let’s work through a scenario together. I will describe a situation, and you will identify the type of mental formation involved.

• Situation: You see someone drop their books. What is your initial reaction?
• Now, let’s identify if that reaction is kusala, akusala, or abyākata.

Independent Practice (“You Do”):
Now, I want each of you to write down three different mental formations you experienced today. Label each as kusala, akusala, or abyākata.

Check-In & Discussion Questions

Check-In:
What’s one thing we must remember about mental formations?

Deeper Discussion:

• How do you think understanding Saṅkhārakkhandha could change the way you respond to situations in your daily life?
• Can you think of a time when recognizing your mental formations helped you make a better choice?

Key Ideas

By the end of this lesson, remember these key ideas:

1. Saṅkhārakkhandha includes all mental factors except vedanā and saññā.
2. It consists of kusala, akusala, and abyākata factors.
3. Key mental formations include cetanā, phassa, manasikāra, vitakka, and vicāra.
4. All aggregates, including mental formations, are characterized by anicca, dukkha, and anattā.
5. Understanding these concepts leads to greater awareness and potential liberation.

Closure

Summarize what was learned:
Today, we explored the concept of Saṅkhārakkhandha, focusing on the different types of mental factors and their implications in our daily lives.

Preview next steps:
Next time, we will delve into the practical applications of these mental formations within the context of mindfulness and meditation. Thank you for your participation!