..續本文上一頁dly9 law of the three marks. Whoever has aggregates and elements cannot go beyond this worldly norm, with the inevitable consequences of change and impermanence. However, their hearts did not waver because there was already total understanding of the state of things.

　　But it”s not like that for us. When we have bodily pain, whether much or little, it also shows in the heart that accumulates additional suffering. The amount can”t be estimated but sometimes the suffering within the heart becomes greater than that of the body.

　　This is what is meant by ”an encompassing infiltration by the defilements”, when we are absent-minded and careless. When there is no mindfulness and wisdom to know what the defilements are up to, they can penetrate in every possible way, regardless of time, place or posture. All that”s necessary is for the heart to move and show itself without mindfulness, and wisdom becomes more like perceiving-memory.10 It”s as if the heart becomes the defilement”s unknowing helper. In such a situation Dhamma can”t possible arise and it can only go the way of the defilements and their steady increase. It”s therefore necessary to throw in the full force of your mindfulness and wisdom, faith and energy, to keep up with the events happening within the heart.

　　Research into these elements and aggregates will make you an outstanding person but graduation from any other kind of study will never be enough. There will still be the thirst for more, much like anything in this world. However, when your studies into the elements, aggregates and heart are completed, that thirst will also be ended. You will find complete fulfillment.

　　At present you are deficient in the theory of Aggregate-ology and the application and practice of it. This is really about mindfulness and wisdom, and the penetrative insight into the true nature of the elements and aggregates. It is analysis by separating the true from the false. But when the study is not yet concluded or understood, endless confusion and turmoil will remain with the elements, aggregates and heart.

　　There is no confusion and agitation worse than that found in the elements, the aggregates and heart. This is where all sorts of complications are constantly emerging because we have yet to clear them up. This indictment can only be dismissed through the studying of the case right there, with mindfulness and wisdom disentangling the truth and giving judgment after careful deliberation.

　　Alright! Let”s wind up these studies. What is there in these elements and aggregates — as I”ve always said, there”s:

　　Form aggregate, which is everything in this body of ours.

　　Feeling aggregate, which comprises painful, pleasant and neutral feelings, that arise within the body and heart.

　　Perception aggregate is memory and assumed knowledge of various things.

　　Thought processing is the creative, concocting facility of the heart that thinks about virtue or wickedness, past or future, without any limitation.

　　Consciousness aggregate, which acknowledges forms, sounds, smells, tastes, or tactile objects as they come into contact with the senses. And at that moment reports them to the heart to acknowledge. Once that contact ends the consciousness lapses as the object passes. This is called consciousness of the five aggregates.11

　　The consciousness of the five aggregates is different from the re-linking consciousness.12 This refers to mind13 and particularly to the heart. It is the heart that is about to enter into re-linking consciousness, taking birth in the various forms of existence. The consciousness of the five aggregates arises and ceases with the things that come into contact with it. That is, the acknowledgement ceases along with the passing away of those things. The re-linking consciousness however, refers to…

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