Observations placeholder
Asvaghosha - The Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana - The problems of the 5 senses
Identifier
016332
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
An explanation:
In consequence of the disturbance of the mind there originates that which perceives an external world. When the mind is not disturbed, perception does not take place. = By using the 5 senses, we get perceptions built up by the function of perception. If we use sensory deprivation, no perceptions arise
…Through perception an unreal external world originates. Independent of that which perceives, there is no surrounding world. Conditioned by the unreal external world, six kinds of phenomena arise in succession = Our perceptions manufacture an external world for us, in effect the perception system is a sort of computer program to turn sensory input into a workable input for living. It in no way represents Reality
The first phenomenon is intelligence/sensation. Being affected by the external world the mind becomes conscious of the difference between the agreeable and the disagreeable. = Sensations
The second phenomenon is succession/memory. Following upon intelligence, memory retains the sensations agreeable as well as disagreeable in a continuous succession of subjective states = Perceptions plus Memory.
The third phenomenon is clinging. Through the retention and succession of sensations agreeable as well as disagreeable, there arises the desire of clinging.= Desire
The fourth phenomenon is an attachment to names/beliefs. By clinging the mind hypostasises all names whereby to give definitions to all things.= Belief systems.
The fifth phenomenon is the performance of deeds. On account of attachment to names, etc,there arise all the variations of deeds, productive of individuality = Personality and ego
The sixth phenomenon is the suffering due to the fetter of deeds. Through deeds suffering arises in which the mind finds itself entangled and curtailed of its freedom.
A description of the experience
Asvaghosha - The Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana translated by D T Suzuki
In consequence of the disturbance of the mind there originates that which perceives an external world. When the mind is not disturbed, perception does not take place.
…Through perception an unreal external world originates. Independent of that which perceives, there is no surrounding world. Conditioned by the unreal external world, six kinds of phenomena arise in succession.
The first phenomenon is intelligence/sensation. Being affected by the external world the mind becomes conscious of the difference between the agreeable and the disagreeable.
The second phenomenon is succession/memory. Following upon intelligence, memory retains the sensations agreeable as well as disagreeable in a continuous succession of subjective states.
The third phenomenon is clinging. Through the retention and succession of sensations agreeable as well as disagreeable, there arises the desire of clinging.
The fourth phenomenon is an attachment to names/beliefs. By clinging the mind hypostasises all names whereby to give definitions to all things.
The fifth phenomenon is the performance of deeds. On account of attachment to names, etc,there arise all the variations of deeds, productive of individuality.
The sixth phenomenon is the suffering due to the fetter of deeds. Through deeds suffering arises in which the mind finds itself entangled and curtailed of its freedom.
The source of the experience
AcvaghoshaConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
Belief systemsDesire
Ego
Five senses system
Memory
Memory - the types of model in memory
Memory and emotion
Memory and perceptions
Memory and subliminal models
Memory and systems
Perception
Perceptions
Personality
Reality
Sensations