The Five Aggregates: Understanding Theravada Psychology and Soteriology

Table of Contents

Table of Contents List of Tables v Acknowledgements vii Foreword ix Abbreviations xi Introduction 1 1. The Concept of Khandha 15 Etymology of the Term Khandha 16 The Five Aggregates and the Dhammacakkappavattanasutta 17 Pancakkhandha and Pancupadanakkhandha 20 2. The Rupakkhandha 31 The Four Primary Material Elements (Mahabhutd) 34 The Secondary Material Elements (Upadarupa) 37 The Three Divisions of Matter 40 Further Classifications of Matter 43 Implications of the Previous Classifications 46 Correlation between the Rupakkhandha and the Paticcasamuppada 48 3. The Vedanakkhandha 51 The Eradication of Vedana 53 The State of Sannavedayitanirodha 57 The State of Vedanakkhaya 69 Vedana as Bifurcation Point 71 Wholesome and Unwholesome Vedana 73 4. The Sannakkhandha 77 Unwholesome Sanna 79 Wholesome Sanna 84 Wholesome Sanna and the Sannakkhandha 86 in iv The Five Aggregates Correlation between Sahna and the Paticcasamuppada . . 87 5. The Sankharakkhandha 91 Polysemy of the Term Sankhara 91 Sankhara as Sahkhata 93 Sankhara as Paccaya 95 Sankhara Used in the Compound Ayusankhara 98 Sankhara Used in the Compounds Asankhara and Sasankhara 99 General Meaning of the Term Sankhara 102 The Sankharakkhandha 105 Correlation between the Sankharakkhandha and the Paticcasamuppada 109 6. The Vinnanakkhandha 113 The Function of Vinnana 116 Vinnana and Mano 119 Vinnana as Rebirth and Death Consciousness 123 Correlation between Vinnana and the Paticcasamuppada 124 7. Interrelation of the Aggregates 127 The Position of Vinnana in the Enumeration of the Pancakkhandha 128 Correlation between Four Aggregates and the Paticcasamuppada 130 Inclusion of Sahna in the Paticcasamuppada Formula . . 136 Vipassana and the Pancakkhandha 142 Conclusion 147 Glossary 151 Bibliography 155 Index 163 ...