Also known as the Five Skandhas, they what we perceive as the ‘I’or ‘self{1}.’Skandha, or aggregate means gath-ering or amass. They are the congregation of the five condi-tional matters which are: form, sensation, perception, mental formation and consciousness.

1.Form{2} (rupa):

Anything tangible which occupies or obstructs space, is analyzable, changeable and destructible is a form. For exam-ple, the five sense organs{3} (eye, ear, nose, tongue and body{4}) and the five objects{5} (that which is visi-ble, audible, olfactory, taste, and tactile{6}) are all called form.

2.Sensation{7} (vedana):

When our mind interacts with the external world{8}, sensations are caused, whether it is pleasant, unpleasant, or neither pleasant nor unpleasant.

3.Perception{9} (samjna):

When the mind clings{10} to the external environment, it mentally constructs or associates with certain matters, re-members, or even fantasizes about the future. Such functions of the mind allow various types of phenomena{11} to arise. In other words, perception is also a type of conception.

4.Mental Formation{12} (samskara):

Through perception, actions are caused. As a response to what the mind thinks and decides, physical or verbal actions, whether wholesome{13} or unwholesome{14}, are then established.

5.Consciousness{15} (vijnana):

The consciousness knows, understands, and distinguishes between different kinds of phenomena. For example, the eye recognizes colors such as blue, yellow, white or black; the ears hear pleasant or unpleasant sounds; the nose recognizes fragrant or odorous smells; the tongue tastes sour, sweet, bit-ter or spicy flavors; while the body differentiates between cold, warm, soft or hard sensations.

The Five Aggregates is a conglomerate{16} which makes up our body and mind, but it is only a temporary and con-ditioned gathering. It is neither substantial{17} nor con-trolled; neither free nor permanent{18}. Despite the above, sentient beings remain attached{19} and ignorant in believ-ing that this self is real and substantial, and are thus trapped in the ocean of suffering forever.

Just as the Anguttara Nikaya{20} says, “Form is like a lump of foam; sensation is like a water bubble; perception like a wild horse; volitional or mental formations is like ba-nana tree; and consciousness is nothing more than an illu-sion{21},” the Five Aggregates do not represent the true appearance of the ‘self.’


【Key Words】

1. self：我

2. Form：色

3. five sense organs：五根

4. eye, ear, nose, tongue and body：

眼、耳、鼻、舌、身

5. five objects：五境

6. visible, audible, olfactory, taste, and tactile：

色、聲、香、味、觸

7. Sensation：受

8. external world：外境

9. Perception：想

10. mind clings：執取

11. phenomena：現象

12. Mental Formation：行

13. wholesome：善

14. unwholesome：惡

15. Consciousness：識

16. conglomerate：聚集物

17. substantial：真實、實有

18. permanent：常住

19. attached：執著、執取

20. Anguttara Nikaya：增一阿含經

21. illusion：幻法