Sunday 2 April 2017

Five Skandhas.





Introduction.

Five Skandhas — the five psycho-physical aggregates, which are the basis for ego.

They are:
1. Form,
2. Feeling or Sensation,
3. Perception,
4. Mental Formations,
5. Consciousness.


Form/Matter.

Matter, body or 'material form' of a being or any existence.

Texts state rupa of any person, sentient being and object to be composed of four basic elements or forces, that is earth (solidity), water (cohesion), fire (heat) and wind (motion).


Feelings/Sensations.

Sensory experience of an object.

It is either pleasant, unpleasant or neutral.

They can also be thought of as the sensations that occur based on sense impressions. A sense object such as incense would belong under the skandha of form, but the sensation created when we smell it belongs in this category. In this case, it would most likely be a pleasant sensation.


Perceptions.

Sensory and mental process that registers, recognizes and labels (for instance, the shape of a tree, color green, emotion of fear).


Mental Formations.

All types of mental imprints and conditioning triggered by an object.

This skandha includes any process that makes a person initiate action or act.


Consciousness.

The Buddhist literature discusses this skandha as,
- Cognizance, that which discerns,
- A series of rapidly changing interconnected discrete acts of cognizance.
- The base that supports all experience.


The Way.

In the Heart Sutra of the Prajñāpāramitā the five aggregates are mentioned, then their dissolution is praised. The five aggregates are basis for ego, and dissolution of ego is the way to the Liberation.

The initial part of the Buddhist practice is purification of each of the above 'five aggregates' through meditation and virtues.

Ultimately, the practice shifts to considering these as naive, then transcending them to reach the state of realization that there is neither person nor self within, or in any other being.

Sources: Rigpa Wiki, Wikipedia, the Heart Sutra Text.


Five Wisdom Buddhas & Skandhas.

Pure Esence of Five Aggregates is expressed through male buddhas of Five Buddha Families.

Pure Essence of Form Aggregate is Buddha Akshobhya,
Pure Essence of Feelings Aggregate is Buddha Ratnasambhava,
Pure Essence of Perception Aggregate is Buddha Amitabha,
Pure Essence of Mental Formations Aggregate is Buddha Amoghasiddhi,
Pure Essence of Consciousness Aggregate is Buddha Vairochana.

On the Diamond Way, every identification with any buddha aspect prevents attachment to five aggregates and through this works as a remedy through every obstacle in mind.


Wishes.

May all beings have happines and causes of happiness,

May they be free from suffering and the cause of suffering,

May they always experience true happiness, which is totally free from suffering,

May they remain in the great equanimity, which is beyond attachment and aversion.


Mantras.

OM MAHAKALAYE SOHA

OM VAIROCHANA OM
OM AKSHOBHYA HUM
OM RATNASAMBHAVA TRAM
OM AMITABHA HRIH
OM AMOGHASIDDHI AH

OM MANI PEME HUNG

KARMAPA CHENNO

Namaste, blessed be.

3 comments:

  1. (EN) Skandha of Form = (PL) Skanda Formy,
    (EN) Skandha of Feeling or Skandha of Sensation = (PL) Skanda Uczuć,
    (EN) Skandha of Perception = (PL) Skanda Rozróżniania,
    (EN) Skandha of Mental Formations = (PL) Skanda Reagowania,
    (EN) Skandha of Consciousness = (PL) Skanda Samoświadomości.

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  2. (PL) Dużo lepsza lekcja w języku polskim o Skandach i o Świadomości:
    > [ http://diamentowadroga.pl/dd29/piec_nagromadzen ].

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  3. (EN) recently had a talk with my psychotherapists - she was nicely suprised what i told her about Buddhist Wisdom on Skandhas & Consciousness - this all reminded her what she learned at psychology college - not first time Buddhism reflects what a Modern Psychology says.

    ReplyDelete