AKB, Ch. 1, V. 17c -19d: Skandhas, ayatanas, dhatus

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PeterC
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AKB, Ch. 1, V. 17c -19d: Skandhas, ayatanas, dhatus

Post by PeterC »

17c-d. One counts eighteen dhatus with a view to assigning a point of support to the sixth consciousness.
So far we have supports for the five senses – the eye consciousness depends on the eye organ, etc. But we don’t yet have one for the mental consciousness. So to keep the scheme consistent, we need a manodhatu, mana-ayatana and a mana-indriya, so that we have the organ/faculty/consciousness triad for each of the six consciousnesses.

There is then an objection regarding the cessation of the Arhats. Earlier (in 17a-b) the text talked about the continuity of minds from moment to moment. So what happens when the Arhat’s last mind manifests? Does that mean the previous mind didn’t have a subsequent mind? The response is that the absence of a ‘last mind’ isn’t due to some definitional deficiency of manas itself, but because there are no causes, actions or defilements that produce a new thought at that point.

Then we have a couple of helpful summary points:
(Commentary) All conditioned dharmas are included within the totality of the skandhas; all of the impure dharmas are included within the totality of the upadanaskandhas; and all the dharmas are included within he totality of the aytanas and the dhatus. But, more briefly,

18a-b. All the dharmas are included in one skandhas, one ayatana, and one dhatu.
(Commentary) In rupaskandha, mana-ayatana and dharmadhatu.

18c. A dharma is included in its own nature.

Not in another nature. Why is this?

18d. For it is distinct from the nature of others.
(Why couldn’t he have started the section by saying this?)

So the commentary clarifies this inclusion point a little. The organ of sight is included within the rupaskandha because it is form, within the sight ayatana and the vision dhatu, within the truth of suffering and arising, but not within the other skandhas, ayatanas, etc.

Then they address briefly the question of whether each individual eye should be counted as a separate organ of sight, and the same for ears, etc.
19a-c. The organs of sight, of hearing, and of smell, although twofold, form only, in pairs, one dhatu, for their nature, their sphere of activity, and their consciousnesses are common.

19d. It is for beauty’s sake that they are twofold.

(Commentary) With but a single eye, a single ear, or a single nostril, one would be very ugly.
OK, well that argument is nonsense from a biological, neuroscientific and aesthetic perspective. But it’s consistent with the definitions of the dhatus that we’ve been using so that probably doesn’t really matter.


And that brings us up to the end of this section. I am finding it makes more sense as you go through it: I’m also finding myself wishing he had done the definitions upfront before the analysis.
Malcolm
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Re: AKB, Ch. 1, V. 17c -19d: Skandhas, ayatanas, dhatus

Post by Malcolm »

PeterC wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:42 am
So the commentary clarifies this inclusion point a little. The organ of sight is included within the rupaskandha because it is form, within the sight ayatana and the vision dhatu, within the truth of suffering and arising, but not within the other skandhas, ayatanas, etc.
It is good to reorient yourself from thinking of rupa as “form” unless rupa is referring to the object of the eye.

Rupaskandha is the material aggregate, not the form aggregate. So, the organ of sight is included in the material aggregate because it is matter, etc.
PeterC
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Re: AKB, Ch. 1, V. 17c -19d: Skandhas, ayatanas, dhatus

Post by PeterC »

Malcolm wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:56 am
PeterC wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:42 am
So the commentary clarifies this inclusion point a little. The organ of sight is included within the rupaskandha because it is form, within the sight ayatana and the vision dhatu, within the truth of suffering and arising, but not within the other skandhas, ayatanas, etc.
It is good to reorient yourself from thinking of rupa as “form” unless rupa is referring to the object of the eye.

Rupaskandha is the material aggregate, not the form aggregate. So, the organ of sight is included in the material aggregate because it is matter, etc.
Thanks.
GDPR_Anonymized001
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Re: AKB, Ch. 1, V. 17c -19d: Skandhas, ayatanas, dhatus

Post by GDPR_Anonymized001 »

PeterC wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:42 am Then they address briefly the question of whether each individual eye should be counted as a separate organ of sight, and the same for ears, etc.
19a-c. The organs of sight, of hearing, and of smell, although twofold, form only, in pairs, one dhatu, for their nature, their sphere of activity, and their consciousnesses are common.
19d. It is for beauty’s sake that they are twofold.
(Commentary) With but a single eye, a single ear, or a single nostril, one would be very ugly.
OK, well that argument is nonsense from a biological, neuroscientific and aesthetic perspective. But it’s consistent with the definitions of the dhatus that we’ve been using so that probably doesn’t really matter.
I got a good chuckle out of this passage and a few sideways glances from those sitting near me.
PeterC wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:42 am And that brings us up to the end of this section. I am finding it makes more sense as you go through it: I’m also finding myself wishing he had done the definitions upfront before the analysis.
Agreed. It's been difficult for me to wrap my head around the written order and structure. I can only assume it is structured this way because it's assists with memorization?
Malcolm wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:56 am It is good to reorient yourself from thinking of rupa as “form” unless rupa is referring to the object of the eye.
Rupaskandha is the material aggregate, not the form aggregate. So, the organ of sight is included in the material aggregate because it is matter, etc.
Thanks, Malcolm. That is a very helpful pointer.
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