Anchor Chart: Viññāṇakkhandha (Consciousness)

1. Awareness and Cognition

• Viññāṇakkhandha refers to consciousness, encompassing awareness and cognition.
• This concept is foundational in understanding the nature of mind and perception.

2. Key Teachings from the Buddha

• "Yaṃ kiñci viññāṇaṃ atītānāgatapaccuppannā" (SN 22.59):

The Buddha emphasizes that all forms of consciousness pertain to the present moment, influencing our experiences of past and future.

3. Six Types of Consciousness

• Consciousness is categorized based on the six sense doors:
  • Cakkhu-viññāṇa: Eye-consciousness
  • Sota-viññāṇa: Ear-consciousness
  • Ghāna-viññāṇa: Nose-consciousness
  • Jivhā-viññāṇa: Tongue-consciousness
  • Kāya-viññāṇa: Body-consciousness
  • Mano-viññāṇa: Mind-consciousness

4. Nature of Consciousness

• "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, māyā" (SN 22.95):

Consciousness is often likened to an illusion, underlining its transient and deceptive nature.

• Key Characteristics of All Aggregates:
  • Anicca: Impermanent
  • Dukkha: Unsatisfactory
  • Anattā: Non-self

5. The Five Aggregates

• In the Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (SN 22.59), the Buddha teaches:

"Rūpaṃ, bhikkhave, anattā, vedanā anattā, saññā anattā, saṅkhārā anattā, viññāṇaṃ anattā"

• These aggregates highlight the non-self nature of form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness.
  • Understanding Leads to Liberation:
    "Iti rūpaṃ, iti rūpassa samudayo, iti rūpassa atthaṅgamo" (SN 22.56)
• Insight into the aggregates' nature is crucial for achieving liberation.

Summary of Important Teachings

1. Khajjanīya Sutta (SN 22.79):

   • Rūpa: Afflicted (ruppati)
   • Vedanā: Feels (vedayati)
   • Saññā: Perceives (sañjānāti)
   • Saṅkhāra: Constructs the conditioned (abhisaṅkharonti)
   • Viññāṇa: Cognizes (vijānāti)

2. All Aggregates:

   • Anicca: "Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā"
   • Dukkha: "Sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā"
   • Anattā: "Sabbe dhammā anattā"

3. Phena Sutta (SN 22.95):

   • Rūpa: Foam ball
   • Vedanā: Water bubble
   • Saññā: Mirage
   • Saṅkhāra: Plantain trunk
   • Viññāṇa: Magical illusion

Conclusion

Understanding the nature of Viññāṇakkhandha through deep contemplation and vipassanā meditation leads practitioners to:

• Dispassion (virāga)
• Liberation (vimutti)
• Nibbāna

By Sao Dhammasami Ph.D. (Candidate), M.A. (Pali)

Anchor Chart: Saṅkhārakkhandha (Mental Formations)

 

Overview

Saṅkhārakkhandha, or the aggregate of mental formations, encompasses volitional activities and mental constructs. It plays a crucial role in the understanding of the five aggregates in Buddhist teaching.

Major Categories of Mental Formations

1. Kusala (Wholesome) Factors
2. Akusala (Unwholesome) Factors
3. Abyākata (Neutral) Factors

Important Mental Formations

• Cetanā (Volition): The intention behind actions.
• Phassa (Contact): The interaction of the senses with their objects.
• Manasikāra (Attention): The act of focusing the mind on an object.
• Vitakka (Initial Application): The first thought directed towards an object.
• Vicāra (Sustained Application): The sustained thought or consideration of an object.

Key Characteristics of All Aggregates

• Anicca (Impermanent): Everything is in a constant state of change.
• Dukkha (Unsatisfactory): All experiences contain elements of suffering or dissatisfaction.
• Anattā (Non-self): There is no permanent, unchanging self within the aggregates.

The Buddha's Teachings from the Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (SN 22.59)

"Rūpaṃ, bhikkhave, anattā, vedanā anattā, saññā anattā, saṅkhārā anattā, viññāṇaṃ anattā"
"Form is non-self, feeling is non-self, perception is non-self, mental formations are non-self, consciousness is non-self."

All aggregates are subject to udayabbaya (the constant arising and passing away), and understanding their true nature leads to liberation:

"Iti rūpaṃ, iti rūpassa samudayo, iti rūpassa atthaṅgamo"
"Thus is form, thus is the arising of form, thus is the passing away of form."

Important Teachings about the Aggregates

1. From Khajjanīya Sutta (SN 22.79):

   • Rūpa is afflicted (ruppati).
   • Vedanā feels (vedayati).
   • Saññā perceives (sañjānāti).
   • Saṅkhāra constructs the conditioned (abhisaṅkharonti).
   • Viññāṇa cognizes (vijānāti).

2. The Buddha taught that all aggregates are:

   • Anicca (Impermanent): "Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā"
   • Dukkha (Unsatisfactory): "Sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā"
   • Anattā (Non-self): "Sabbe dhammā anattā"

3. From Phena Sutta (SN 22.95), the aggregates are compared to:

   • Rūpa is like a foam ball.
   • Vedanā is like a water bubble.
   • Saññā is like a mirage.
   • Saṅkhāra is like a plantain trunk.
   • Viññāṇa is like a magical illusion.

Path to Liberation

Understanding these aggregates deeply through vipassanā meditation leads to:

• Dispassion (Virāga)
• Liberation (Vimutti)
• Nibbāna

---

This chart serves as a concise summary of Saṅkhārakkhandha, emphasizing its significance in the context of Buddhist philosophy and meditation practices.

Anchor Chart: Saññākkhandha (Perception)

 

Main Concepts

• 3. Saññākkhandha (Perception): Recognition and identification of objects and experiences.
• Quote: "Yā kāci saññā atītānāgatapaccuppannā" (SN 22.59).

Functions of Perception

• Recognition (Sañjānana): The function of recognizing objects and experiences.
• Memory Formation: Creating memories based on perceptions.
• Conceptual Understanding: Forming concepts based on perceived information.
• Making Marks for Recognition: Creating associations for easier recognition.

Types of Saññā (Perceptions)

1. Rūpa-saññā: Perception of forms.
2. Sadda-saññā: Perception of sounds.
3. Gandha-saññā: Perception of smells.
4. Rasa-saññā: Perception of tastes.
5. Phoṭṭhabba-saññā: Perception of touches.
6. Dhamma-saññā: Perception of mental objects.

Key Characteristics of Aggregates

• Anicca (Impermanent): All aggregates are transitory.
• Dukkha (Unsatisfactory): All aggregates lead to dissatisfaction.
• Anattā (Non-Self): All aggregates are not self.

The Buddha taught in the Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (SN 22.59):
"Rūpaṃ, bhikkhave, anattā, vedanā anattā, saññā anattā, saṅkhārā anattā, viññāṇaṃ anattā."

Important Teachings on Aggregates

1. From Khajjanīya Sutta (SN 22.79):

   • Rūpa: Afflicted (ruppati)
   • Vedanā: Feels (vedayati)
   • Saññā: Perceives (sañjānāti)
   • Saṅkhāra: Constructs (abhisaṅkharonti)
   • Viññāṇa: Cognizes (vijānāti)

2. The Buddha's teachings on aggregates:

   • Anicca: "Sabbe saṅkhārā aniccā"
   • Dukkha: "Sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā"
   • Anattā: "Sabbe dhammā anattā"

3. From Phena Sutta (SN 22.95), aggregates are compared to:

   • Rūpa: Like a foam ball.
   • Vedanā: Like a water bubble.
   • Saññā: Like a mirage.
   • Saṅkhāra: Like a plantain trunk.
   • Viññāṇa: Like a magical illusion.

Path to Liberation

Understanding the true nature of these aggregates through vipassanā meditation leads to:

• Dispassion (Virāga): Freedom from cravings.
• Liberation (Vimutti): Release from suffering.
• Nibbāna: Achieving the ultimate goal of enlightenment.

Vedanākkhandha (Feeling) Anchor Chart

 

Main Topic: Vedanākkhandha (Feeling)

Experience of Sensations

• Types of sensations:
  • Pleasant (sukha)
  • Unpleasant (dukkha)
  • Neutral (adukkhamasukha)
• Buddha's Teaching:

"Yā kāci vedanā atītānāgatapaccuppannā" (SN 22.59)
This refers to feelings that are experienced in the past, future, and present.

Types of Feelings by Nature

1. Sukha: Pleasant bodily feeling
2. Dukkha: Unpleasant bodily feeling
3. Somanassa: Pleasant mental feeling
4. Domanassa: Unpleasant mental feeling
5. Upekkhā: Neutral feeling

Types of Feelings by Source

• Feelings arising from:
  • Eye-contact
  • Ear-contact
  • Nose-contact
  • Tongue-contact
  • Body-contact
  • Mind-contact

Key Characteristics of All Aggregates

• Anicca: Impermanent
• Dukkha: Unsatisfactory
• Anattā: Non-self

Buddha's Teaching on Non-Self

"Rūpaṃ, bhikkhave, anattā, vedanā anattā, saññā anattā, saṅkhārā anattā, viññāṇaṃ anattā"
“Form is non-self, feeling is non-self, perception is non-self, mental formations are non-self, consciousness is non-self.”
(Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta, SN 22.59)

Understanding the Nature of Aggregates

• Subject to constant arising and passing away (udayabbaya)
• Path to Liberation:

"Iti rūpaṃ, iti rūpassa samudayo, iti rūpassa atthaṅgamo"
“Thus is form, thus is the arising of form, thus is the passing away of form.”
(SN 22.56)

---

This anchor chart summarizes key concepts related to Vedanākkhandha, providing a coherent framework for understanding the nature of feelings and their implications in Buddhist philosophy.

Anchor Chart: Rūpakkhandha (Material Form)

1. Overview of Rūpakkhandha

• Represents the first of the five aggregates (khandha) in Buddhist philosophy.
• Encompasses all physical matter and the four great elements (Mahābhūta).

2. Types of Rūpa

4 Great Elements (Mahābhūta)

• Pathavī: Earth/solidity
• Āpo: Water/cohesion
• Tejo: Fire/temperature
• Vāyo: Air/motion

24 Derived Matter (Upādā-rūpa)

• 5 Sense Organs (Pasāda-rūpa): Physical organs facilitating perception.
• 4 Sense Objects:
  • Color
  • Sound
  • Smell
  • Taste
• Hadaya-vatthu: Heart-base, the physical basis for consciousness.
• Jīvita-rūpa: Life-faculty, the essence of life.
• 2 Sex-Rūpas: Male and female physical forms.
• Others: Includes nutrition, space, communication, etc.

3. Nature of Physical Change

• Rūpakkhandha reflects the transient nature of physical forms and their continual transformation.
• Key Concepts:
  • "Rūpaṃ rūpakkhandho" (SN 22.48): Form is an aggregate of material elements.
  • "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, pupphuḷaṃ passeyya" (SN 22.95): Like a foam bubble, emphasizing impermanence.

4. Understanding Anattā (Non-Self)

• The Buddha's teachings emphasize the non-self nature of the five aggregates:
  • "Rūpaṃ, bhikkhave, anattā" (SN 22.59): Form is non-self.
  • Other aggregates: Feeling, perception, mental formations, consciousness are also non-self.

5. Implications for Liberation

• Recognizing the impermanent and non-self nature of rūpa leads to liberation:
  • "Iti rūpaṃ, iti rūpassa samudayo, iti rūpassa atthaṅgamo" (SN 22.56): Thus is form, thus is the arising of form, thus is the passing away of form.
• Understanding these concepts is essential for spiritual growth and the path to enlightenment.

 

Understanding the Five Aggregates in Mental Consciousness

 

Main Concept

When mental objects strike the mind-base, mental consciousness arises. This process involves the interaction of various elements that can be categorized into five aggregates.

Categories of the Five Aggregates

1. Mental Consciousness (Citta)

   • The first component that emerges when mental objects interact with the mind-base.
   • Involves the knowing of mental objects in terms of persons and beings.

2. Aggregate of Feeling (Vedanākkhandha)

   • Arises simultaneously with mental consciousness.
   • Refers to the experience of sensations and feelings, such as pleasure, pain, and neutrality.

3. Aggregate of Perception (Saññākkhandha)

   • Also arises alongside mental consciousness.
   • Involves the recognition and labeling of mental objects, allowing for identification and categorization.

4. Aggregate of Mental Formations (Saṅkhārakkhandha)

   • Complements the other aggregates.
   • Encompasses various mental factors, including volition, intentions, and thoughts that influence behavior.

5. Material Aggregate (Rūpa)

   • Composed of the heart-base (Hadayavatthu) and mental objects.
   • Represents the physical aspect of phenomena that interacts with mental consciousness.

Understanding Mental Phenomena

• Mental Phenomena (Nāma)

  • Comprises mental consciousness and the mental factors (cetasika).

• Physical Phenomena (Rūpa)

  • Consists of the heart-base and mental objects, representing the material aspect.

Summary

The interaction of the mind with mental objects leads to the emergence of consciousness and its accompanying mental factors, forming a comprehensive framework of understanding both mind and matter through the five aggregates. This knowledge is crucial for adult learners in understanding the nature of consciousness and mental processes.

"When mental objects strike the mind-base, mental consciousness arises, leading to a deeper understanding of the aggregates that shape our experience."
- Sao Dhammasami, Ph.D. Candidate, M.A. (Pali)
www.siridantamahapalaka.com

Anchor Chart: 5 Aggregates on Body Doors

 

Main Topic

Understanding the concept of the five aggregates (pañcakkhandhā) is essential in comprehending how consciousness, feeling, perception, and physical sensations interact within the body. This anchor chart breaks down the five aggregates associated with body doors, illustrating their relationships and components.

---

1. Body-Consciousness (Citta)

• Arises when tangible objects (hardness and softness) interact with the sensitive matter of the body.
• Key Components:
  • Feeling (Vedanā): The emotional response to sensations.
  • Perception (Saññā): The recognition and identification of the sensation.
  • Volition (Cetanā): The mental factor that drives action based on the perception.

---

2. Material Aggregate (Rūpakkhandhā)

• Comprises the sensitive matter of the body and the tangible objects interacting with it.
• Components:
  • Physical Matter: The biological aspects of the body.
  • Tangible Objects: Elements that can be perceived physically.

---

3. Tactile Consciousness from Temperature

• Arises when hot and cold elements strike the sensitive matter of the body.
• Key Aspects:
  • Consciousness (Citta): Acknowledgment of sensations.
  • Feeling, Perception, and Volition: The mental factors that arise simultaneously with the awareness of temperature.

---

4. Tactile Consciousness from Air Element

• Occurs when the air element (motion, pressure, pushing) interacts with the body.
• Mental Phenomena (Nāma): Includes the awareness of air and its effects.
• Physical Phenomena (Rūpa): The body’s response to external pressure and motion.

---

5. Integration of Mind and Matter

• The five aggregates demonstrate the interdependence of consciousness, mental factors, and physical sensations.
• Understanding:
  • Consciousness (Citta): The mind’s awareness of sensations.
  • Mental Factors (Cetasika): Feelings, perceptions, and volitions that arise from bodily sensations.
  • Matter (Rūpa): The physical sensations and the body’s material aspects.

---

This anchor chart serves as a concise overview of the five aggregates related to body doors, highlighting the interplay between consciousness, mental processes, and physical matter. Understanding these aggregates is crucial for professional discussions in fields such as psychology, philosophy, and health.

Anchor Chart: 5 Aggregates on Tongue Doors

 

1. Introduction to the Five Aggregates

• The five aggregates (pañcakkhandhā) are essential concepts in understanding the relationship between consciousness, mental factors, and physical phenomena.
• These aggregates consist of both mental and material components that interact when tasting.

2. The Six Tastes

• The six tastes that trigger consciousness:
  • Sweet
  • Sour
  • Spicy
  • Salty
  • Bitter
  • Astringent

3. The Four Mental Aggregates (Nāmakkhandhā)

• Consciousness (Citta): The awareness that arises when tasting.
• Feeling (Vedanā): The emotional response to a taste (pleasant, unpleasant, neutral).
• Perception (Saññā): The recognition and interpretation of the taste.
• Volition (Cetanā): The mental formation or intention regarding the reaction to the taste.

4. The Material Aggregate (Rūpakkhandhā)

• Sensitive Matter of the Tongue: The physical aspect that interacts with the six tastes.
• Material Phenomena (Rūpa): The physical properties of the tastes and the tongue.

5. The Interaction of Mind and Matter

• When the six tastes strike the sensitive matter of the tongue:
  • Taste-Consciousness arises, linking mental and physical experiences.
  • This interaction creates a duality of:
  • Mental Phenomena (Nāma): Consciousness, feeling, perception, volition.
  • Physical Phenomena (Rūpa): The sensitive matter and the tastes themselves.

Understanding these aggregates enhances the comprehension of sensory experiences and the interplay between mind and matter in the context of tasting.

5 Aggregates on Ear Doors

Main Topic: Understanding the 5 Aggregates in Hearing

1. Consciousness (Citta)

• Refers to the awareness of sound.
• Represents the mental state that arises when sound impacts the ear.

2. Mental Factors (Cetasika)

• Comprises three key components that arise alongside consciousness:
  • Feeling (Vedanā): The emotional response to the sound.
  • Perception (Saññā): The recognition and interpretation of the sound.
  • Volition (Cetanā): The intention or response to the sound.

3. Material Aggregate (Rūpakkhandhā)

• Includes the sensitive matter of the ear and the sound itself.
• Represents the physical aspect that interacts with consciousness.

4. Mental Aggregates (Nāmakkhandhā)

• Formed by the combination of consciousness and mental factors.
• Includes:
  • Ear-consciousness
  • Feeling
  • Perception
  • Volition

5. Overall Phenomena (Nāma and Rūpa)

• Nāma (Mental Phenomena): The knowing of the sound, which involves consciousness and mental factors.
• Rūpa (Physical Phenomena): The sensitive ear matter and the sound as physical entities.
• Together, these phenomena illustrate the interplay between mind and matter in the experience of hearing.

The five aggregates (pañcakkhandhā) provide a framework to understand how sound is experienced through the ear, integrating both mental and physical elements.

The 5 Aggregates on Eyes and Doors

Main Topic: Understanding the Five Aggregates

The five aggregates (pañcakkhandhā) provide a framework for understanding the interaction between perception and consciousness, particularly related to the eye. This chart categorizes the aggregates into five major components.

---

1. Consciousness (Citta)

• The awareness or knowing that arises when visible forms strike the sensitive matter of the eye.
• Essential for the experience of seeing.

2. Feeling (Vedanā)

• The emotional response that occurs alongside eye-consciousness.
• Can be categorized as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.

3. Perception (Saññā)

• The process of recognizing and interpreting visible forms.
• Involves the identification of objects based on sensory input.

4. Volition (Cetanā)

• The mental factor that drives intention and action.
• Influences how one reacts to perceived visual stimuli.

5. Material Aggregate (Rūpakkhandhā)

• Comprises the sensitive matter of the eye and the visible forms.
• Represents the physical aspect of the experience, distinct from the mental components.

---

Summary of Interaction

When visible form interacts with the sensitive matter of the eye:

• Seeing-Consciousness (Eye-Consciousness) arises, initiating a mental process.
• This process includes the aggregation of consciousness, feelings, perceptions, and volitions alongside the material aspect (rūpa).

---

Key Concepts

• The aggregates illustrate the interplay between mind (nāma) and matter (rūpa).
• Understanding these aggregates leads to deeper insights into human perception and consciousness.

---

References

• Author: ဓာတုဓာရကော: ဘိက္ခု ဓမ္မသမိ
• Email: saodhammasami@gmail.com
• Website: siridantamahapalaka.com

Understanding Nose-Consciousness and the Five Aggregates

1. Nose-Consciousness

• Definition: The awareness that arises when an odor interacts with the sensitive matter of the nose.
• Components:
  • Nose-consciousness does not arise alone; it is accompanied by three mental factors.

2. Mental Factors

• Feeling (Vedanā): The emotional response triggered by the odor.
• Perception (Saññā): The identification and interpretation of the odor.
• Volition (Cetanā): The mental intention or determination regarding the odor.

3. The Four Mental Aggregates (Nāmakkhandhā)

• Nose-Consciousness: The awareness of the odor.
• Feeling: Response to the odor.
• Perception: Understanding and labeling the odor.
• Volition: The mental will related to the odor.

4. The Material Aggregate (Rūpakkhandhā)

• Sensitive Matter of the Nose: The biological aspect that perceives the odor.
• The Odor: The external stimulus that triggers the perception.
• Relationship: Together, these components form the physical phenomena.

5. The Five Aggregates (Pañcakkhandhā)

• Nāmakkhandhā:
  • Consciousness (Citta)
  • Mental Factors (Cetasika) - Feeling, Perception, Volition
• Rūpakkhandhā:
  • Sensitive Matter of the Nose
  • The Odor
• Summary: The five aggregates represent the total experience of perception involving mind (nāma) and matter (rūpa).

Understanding the interplay between nose-consciousness, mental factors, and physical phenomena deepens the comprehension of sensory experiences and their implications in cognitive processes.