Pancupadanakkhandha (pahnch-ooh-puh-dah-nah-kahn-dah), is translated as the Five Aggregates With Clinging, with these characteristic elements: form (physical sensations), feeling, perception, mind conditioners and consciousness.  Contemplating these concepts persistently and deeply fosters the process of deconstructing the misconception of an enduring and autonomous self, a major goal in the process of Awakening.  Peter reviewed each of the aggregates to provide a deeper understanding of how they operate as singular as well as cooperative elements of  personality.  An Awakened being such as the Buddha still experiences the aggregating process, but this is termed Pancakkhandha (pahn-chah-kahn-dah), the Five Aggregates, meaning that the personality dynamic is not afflicted with craving and clinging.  Realization of this concept is facilitated by a guided meditation “Focused Attention And Peripheral Awareness”, which can be found in the audio archive.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  UNDERSTANDING THE FIVE AGGREGATES

Next week’s talk will focus on an overview of the Seven Awakening Factors.