The lesson on the Five Aggregates, or the "Five Skandhas" as they are called in Buddhist philosophy, describes the understanding of the "self" and its perceived continuity.
The five aggregates are form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness, which, according to Buddhist teaching, constitute the basis for our sense of self.
The teaching of the Five Aggregates builds upon the previous lessons, extending our understanding of interdependence, impermanence, and the nature of reality:
Interdependence: Just as the car in our previous lesson was a conglomeration of various parts and external factors, our self is also a combination of the five aggregates. None of these aggregates can exist independently, thereby reinforcing the concept of interdependence.
Impermanence: Each of the five aggregates is continuously changing. Our bodies (form), our feelings (sensation), our perceptions, our thoughts (mental formations), and even our consciousness are in a constant state of flux. This underscores the lesson of impermanence.
Emptiness and Two Truths: The aggregates also tie into the concepts of emptiness and the two truths. On the relative level, we perceive ourselves as a consistent, separate self. However, from the perspective of absolute truth, what we consider "self" is empty of independent existence and is merely a temporary convergence of the five aggregates.
By exploring the Five Aggregates, we can deepen our understanding of the "I's of Wisdom", particularly the nature of our self in the context of interdependence and impermanence. This investigation further allows us to 'empty our cup', letting go of rigid self-concepts, and opens us to a more fluid understanding of our identity, paving the way towards greater inner peace.
Let’s take a look at the Five Aggregates: form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness.
Form
This refers to the physical aspect of our existence—our body and its sense organs (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell).
Feeling
This refers to the sensations experienced through contact of the six sense organs (the five physical senses plus the mind) with their respective objects. These sensations can be pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.
Perception
This involves recognition, where we identify and label the objects of our experience, like "this is a chair" or "this is cold."
Mental formations
These are the volitional activities of the mind, which include our thoughts, emotions, desires, and intentions. This is how we think and make decisions, like choosing what to eat for breakfast.
Consciousness
This is the basic awareness that makes all experiences possible. This is what allows us to be aware of things, like knowing that you are listening to me speak or knowing that you are reading this sentence.
Now, let's apply the two truths to our understanding of the self:
Relative truth (how things seem)
Conventionally, you may think of yourself as a distinct, independent, and enduring entity. You have a certain image or concept of who you are based on your physical appearance, your feelings, your thoughts, your perceptions, and your consciousness—the Five Aggregates.
For instance, you might identify yourself as a kind, patient person who likes nature, enjoys reading and has a particular set of life experiences. This sense of self can be useful for functioning in the world, but it can also become a source of suffering when it leads to attachment, aversion, or a rigid, limited view of who you are.
Absolute truth (how things are)
Impermanent: Each of the Five Aggregates is constantly changing. Your body ages, your feelings change moment by moment, your perceptions and thoughts fluctuate, and your consciousness is a dynamic stream of experiences. So, there's no unchanging, permanent self to be found in any of these aggregates.
Interdependent: The sense of self arises dependent on the Five Aggregates, which in turn depend on a myriad of conditions—biological, psychological, social, and environmental. The 'self' is not an isolated, independent entity but a product of interdependent processes.
Self and the “illusion” of a rainbow
Understanding the Five Aggregates is key to unraveling the illusion of self, just as understanding light and moisture is key to understanding a rainbow.
Consider this: A rainbow is a beautiful, seemingly solid spectacle that appears in the sky after the rain, yet it has no tangible substance. It's an optical phenomenon created by the interaction of sunlight and water droplets. We can't touch it or hold it, yet it appears real and consistent to our eyes.
Similarly, what we call "self" is like a rainbow. It appears as a consistent, independent entity, yet it's merely a phenomenon arising from the interaction of the Five Aggregates—form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. Just like the rainbow, our sense of self has no independent existence or unchanging essence. In the same way that the rainbow is dependent on sunlight and water droplets, the 'self' is dependent on the interaction of the Five Aggregates.
Seeing this truth allows us to appreciate the rainbow's beauty without trying to cling to it.
This doesn't mean that the self is unreal or should be rejected, but rather that it should be seen for what it is—an impermanent and interdependent construct, not an absolute reality.
Developing this understanding can lead to a sense of inner peace. By reducing attachments and conflicts rooted in ego, it creates a space for freedom and adaptability. This space allows you to handle life's difficulties with more skill, wisdom, and kindness. The result is greater inner peace.