Viññāṇakkhandha (Consciousness) Newsletter

Message from the Teacher

Dear Families,

Welcome to another exciting week in our Professional/Staff classroom! This week, we will delve into the profound topic of Viññāṇakkhandha (Consciousness). We will explore awareness and cognition, understanding the nature of consciousness as described in the teachings of the Buddha. The phrase "Yaṃ kiñci viññāṇaṃ atītānāgatapaccuppannā" (SN 22.59) invites us to reflect on the continuity of consciousness across time, while the metaphor "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, māyā" (SN 22.95) reminds us that consciousness can be elusive, much like an illusion.

We look forward to a week filled with learning and insights!

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

What We’re Learning

This week, our focus will be on Viññāṇakkhandha (Consciousness), exploring:

• Awareness and cognition
• The teaching "Yaṃ kiñci viññāṇaṃ atītānāgatapaccuppannā" (SN 22.59)
• The six types of consciousness based on 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)

We will also discuss the key characteristics of all aggregates:

• Anicca (impermanent)
• Dukkha (unsatisfactory)
• Anattā (non-self)

The Buddha’s teachings, particularly in the Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (SN 22.59), remind us that consciousness, like all aggregates, is non-self. Understanding this nature leads to insight and liberation, as illustrated in "Iti rūpaṃ, iti rūpassa samudayo, iti rūpassa atthaṅgamo" (SN 22.56).

Important Dates & Reminders

• (upcoming events, assignments, or school-wide dates)

Classroom Highlights

This week, we celebrated our students' efforts in understanding complex concepts. A special shout-out to our learners who participated in the group discussions and shared their insights on consciousness! 

At-Home Connections

Families can enhance the learning experience with these activities:

• Discuss the six types of consciousness with your family and identify examples in daily life.
• Reflect together on the quote "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, māyā" and share instances where you felt consciousness was an illusion.

Contact Information

For any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out via email at saodhammasami@gmail.com

Thank you for your continued support in your child's learning journey!

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

Classroom Newsletter

Message from the Teacher

Dear Families,

Welcome to another exciting week in our classroom! This week, we will delve into the fascinating topic of Saṅkhārakkhandha, or Mental Formations. We will explore volitional activities and the mental constructs that shape our experiences. As we reflect on the teachings of the Buddha, particularly the wisdom found in the Suttas, such as "Ye keci saṅkhārā atītānāgatapaccuppannā" (SN 22.59), we aim to deepen our understanding of how these mental formations influence our lives.

Let’s embark on this enlightening journey together!

Sao Dhammasami

What We’re Learning

This week, students will learn about Saṅkhārakkhandha (Mental Formations), focusing on the following key elements:

• Volitional activities and mental constructs
• The phrase "Ye keci saṅkhārā atītānāgatapaccuppannā" (SN 22.59)
• The inclusion of all mental factors except vedanā and saññā
• The analogy "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kadalī" - "Like a banana trunk" (SN 22.95)

Key Components of Saṅkhārakkhandha:

• It contains 50 cetasikas (mental factors) excluding vedanā and saññā.
• Major categories include:
  • Kusala (wholesome) factors
  • Akusala (unwholesome) factors
  • Abyākata (neutral) factors

Important Mental Formations:

• Cetanā (volition)
• Phassa (contact)
• Manasikāra (attention)
• Vitakka (initial application)
• Vicāra (sustained application)

Key Characteristics of All Aggregates:

• Anicca (impermanent)
• Dukkha (unsatisfactory)
• Anattā (non-self)

The teachings from the Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (SN 22.59) emphasize:

"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."

Understanding these aggregates through meditation can lead to liberation, as highlighted in "Iti rūpaṃ, iti rūpassa samudayo, iti rūpassa atthaṅgamo" (SN 22.56).

Important Dates & Reminders

• (Iupcoming events, assignments)

Classroom Highlights

• (Check Alert Email)

At-Home Connections

To extend learning at home, families can engage with the topic of Saṅkhārakkhandha through the following activities:

1. Discussion: Talk about how volition influences daily decisions and actions. Ask family members to share a time when they made a choice based on their mental formations.

2. Reflection: Encourage family members to practice mindfulness by observing their thoughts and feelings throughout the day. Discuss the impermanent nature of these experiences.

Contact Information

For any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out via email at saodhammasami@gmail.com Thank you for your ongoing support in our learning journey!

Warm regards,

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

Classroom Newsletter

 

Message from the Teacher

Hello Families,

Welcome to another exciting week in our classroom! This week, we will delve into the fascinating topic of Saññākkhandha (Perception). We will explore how we recognize and identify objects and experiences, along with the significant teachings provided by the Buddha on perception. As we engage in discussions and activities, we aim to deepen our understanding of how perception shapes our experiences and reality.

Sao Dhammasami

What We’re Learning

This week, students will learn about:

• Recognition and identification of objects and experiences: How we perceive and make sense of the world around us.
• The Buddha's teaching: "Yā kāci saññā atītānāgatapaccuppannā" (SN 22.59), which highlights the nature of perception in relation to past, present, and future experiences.
• The function of recognition (sañjānana) and how it relates to our memory and understanding.
• The metaphor "Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, gimhānaṃ pacchime māse marīcikā" (SN 22.95) - "Like a mirage" - illustrating the transient nature of perception.

Additionally, we will cover the six types of perception based on sense doors:

• Rūpa-saññā (perception of forms)
• Sadda-saññā (perception of sounds)
• Gandha-saññā (perception of smells)
• Rasa-saññā (perception of tastes)
• Phoṭṭhabba-saññā (perception of touches)
• Dhamma-saññā (perception of mental objects)

Students will explore the functions of perception, including:

• Recognition (sañjānana)
• Memory formation
• Conceptual understanding
• Making marks for recognition

We will also discuss the key characteristics of all aggregates: Anicca (impermanent), Dukkha (unsatisfactory), and Anattā (non-self).

Important Dates & Reminders

• ( upcoming events, assignments)

Classroom Highlights

• Check Class Room Announcements

At-Home Connections

Here are some simple ways you can engage your family in the topic of Saññākkhandha (Perception) at home:

1. Observation Exercise: Go for a walk and ask your family members to describe what they see, hear, smell, and feel. Discuss how each person's perception may vary.
2. Mirage Metaphor: Share examples from everyday life where things aren't what they seem, much like a mirage. Encourage family members to think about how perceptions can be misleading.

Contact Information

For any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at Saodhammasami@gmail.com Thank you for your continued support in your child's learning journey!

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