This term, as noun, occurs probably for the first time in Pts.M. I. 53, although as a verb it is found already in the old texts. The same holds good with its synonym vavattha^na.
= phassa (q.v.).
”fetters”. There are 10 fetters tying beings to the wheel of existence, namely: (1) personality-belief (sakka^ya-ditthi, q.v.), (2) sceptical doubt (vicikiccha^ q.v.), (3) clinging to mere rules and ritual (si^labbata-para^ma^sa; s. upa^da^na), (4) sensuous craving (ka^ma-ra^ga, 4.v.), (5) ill-will (vya^pa^da), (6) craving for fine-material existence (rúpa-ra^ga), (7) craving for immaterial existence (arúpa-ra^ga), (8) conceit (ma^na, q.v.), (9) restlessness (uddhacca, q.v.), (10) ignorance (avijja^, q.v.). The first five of these are called ”lower fetters” (orambha^giya-samyojana), as they tie to the sensuous world. The latter 5 are called ”higher fetters” (uddhambha^giya-samyojana), as they tie to the higher worlds, i.e. the fine-material and immaterial world (A. IX, 67, 68; X. 13; D . 33, etc.).
He who is free from 1-3 is a Sota^panna, or Stream-winner, i.e. one who has entered the stream to Nibba^na, as it were. He who, besides these 3 fetters, has overcome 4 and 5 in their grosser form, is called a Sakada^ga^mi, a ”Once-returner” (to this sensuous world). He who is fully freed from 1-5 is an Ana^ga^mi^, or ”Non-returner” (to the sensuous world). He who is freed from all the 10 fetters is called an Arahat, i.e. a perfectly Holy One.
For more details, s. ariya-puggala.
The 10 fetters as enumerated in the Abhidhamma, e.g. Vibh. XVII, are: sensuous craving, ill-will, conceit, wrong views, sceptical doubt, clinging to mere rules and ritual, craving for existence, envy, stinginess, ignorance.
This term has, according to its context, different shades of meaning, which should be carefully distinguished.
(I) To its most frequent usages (s. foll. 1-4) the general term ”formation” may be applied, with the qualifications required by the context. This term may refer either to the act of ”forming or to the passive state of ”having been formed” or to both.
1. As the 2nd link of the formula of dependent origination, (paticcasamuppa^da, q.v.), sankha^ra has the active aspect, ”forming, and signifies karma (q.v.), i.e. wholesome or unwholesome volitional activity (cetana^) of body (ka^ya-s.), speech (vaci^-s.) or mind (citta- or mano-s.). This definition occurs, e.g. at S. XII, 2, 27. For s. in this sense, the word ”karma-formation” has been coined by the author. In other passages, in the same context, s. is defined by reference to (a) meritorious karma-formations (pun~n~”a^bhisankha^ra), (b) demeritorious k. (apun~n~”abhisankha^ra), (c) imperturbable k. (a^nen~j”a^bhisankha^ra), e.g. in S. XII, 51; D. 33. This threefold division covers karmic activity in all spheres of existence: the meritorious karma-formations extend to the sensuous and the fine-material sphere, the demeritorious ones only to the sensuous sphere, and the ”imperturbable” only to the immaterial sphere.
2. The aforementioned three terms, ka^ya-, vaci^- and citta-s. are sometimes used in quite a different sense, namely as (1) bodily function, i.e. in-and-out-breathing (e.g. M. 10), (2) verbal function, i.e. thought-conception and discursive thinking, (3) mental-function, i.e. feeling and perception (e.g. M. 44). See nirodhasama^patti.
3. It also denotes the 4th group of existence (sankha^rakkhandha), and includes all ”mental formations” whether they belong to ”karmically forming” consciousness or not. See khandha, Tab. II. and S. XXII, 56, 79.
4. It occurs further in the sense of anything formed (sankhata, q.v.) and conditioned, and includes all things whatever in the world, all phenomena of existence. This meaning applies, e.g. to the well-known passage, "All formations are impermanent... subject to suffering" (sabbe sankha^ra anicca^ ... dukkha^). In that context, however, s. is subordinate to the still wider and all-embracing term dhamma (thing); for dhamma includes also the Unformed or Unconditioned Element (asankhata-dha^tu), i.e. Nibba^na (e.g. in sabbe dhamma^ anatta^, "all things are without a self").
(II) Sankha^ra also means sometimes ”volitional effort”, e.g. in the formula of the roads to power (iddhi-pa^da, q.v.); in sasankha^ra- and asankha^ra-parinibba^yi^ (s. ana^ga^mi^, q.v.); and in the Abhidhamma terms asankha^rika- (q.v.) and sasankha^rika-citta, i.e. without effort = spontaneously, and with effort = prompted.
In Western literature, in English as well as in German, sankha^ra is sometimes mistranslated by ”subconscious tendencies” or similarly (e.g Prof Beckh: "unterbewu?te Bildekr?fte," i.e. subconscious formative forces). This misinterpretation derives perhaps from a similar usage in non-Buddhist Sanskrit literature, and is entirely inapplicable to the connotations of the term in Pa^li Buddhism, as listed above under I, 1-4. For instance, within the dependent origination, s. is neither subconscious nor a mere tendency, but is a fully conscious and active karmic volition. In the context of the 5 groups of existence (s. above I, 3), a very few of the factors from the group of mental formations (sankha^rakkhandha) are also present as concomitants of subconsciousness (s. Tab. I-III), but are of course not restricted to it, nor are they mere tendencies.
Sariputra == 舍利弗
One of the Ten Great Disciples of Shakyamuni, noted for his wisdom and learning. He was also the right-hand attendant on Shakyamuni. He figures prominently in certain sutras. He is represented as standing with Maudgalyayana by the Buddha when entering Nirvana. He is to reappear as Padmaprabha Buddha.
”dwelling place”, is one of the 4 requisites of the monk”s life (s. si^la 4). To be suitable for spiritual training, it should possess 5 advantages. As it is said (A. X, 11): "But how, o monks, does the dwelling place possess 5 advantages? Such a dwelling place is not too far, nor too near (to the village), is suitable for going (on almsround) and returning. In the daytime it is not much crowded, and at night without noise and bustle. One is not much molested there by gadflies, mosquitoes, wind, sun and creeping things. While living there, the monk without difficulty obtains robes, almsfood, dwelling, and the necessary medicines. There are elder monks living there, with great learning, well versed in the Message, masters of the Law (dhamma), of the Discipline (vinaya) and of the Tables of Contents (i.e. either the twofold Abhidhamma Matrix, or the Bhikkhu and Bhikkhuni Pa^timokkha; s. pa^timokkha). And he approaches them from time to time, questions them, asks them for explanations, etc.
Sensation == 受
or Feeling. The Sanskrit word is Vedana. One of the Five Skandhas. See Five Skandhas.
Six Dusts == 六尘
see Six Gunas.
Six Gunas == 六尘
or Six External Bases, or Six Dusts. They are sight, sound, scent/smell, taste, tangibles/touch and dharma/idea. They are the qualities produced by the objects and organs of sense.
Six Paths == 六道
see Six Directions of Reincarnation.
Six Roots == 六根
or Six Sense-organs, see Six Indriyas.
lit ”glad-minded-ness” (su+manas+ya), gladness, joy; identical with ”mentally agreeable feeling” (cetasika^ sukha^ vedana^), belongs to the feeling-group (vedana^-kkhandha, s. khandha II), and is enumerated amongst the 22 faculties (indriya, q.v.). It may or may not be associated with karmically wholesome consciousness (s. Tab. I. 1-4, 9-12, 18-21), with karmically unwholesome consciousness (greedy c. ib. 22-25), and with karmically neutral consciousness (ib. 40, 42-45, 57-60, 66-69, 72-76. 81-84), - Somanassa is not identical with pi^ti (q.v.).
kin~cana (q.v.).
For the 4 Truths of suffering, s. sacca; further s. ti-lakkhana.
” T he Three Bascets”, is the name for the 3 main divisions of the Pa^li Canon: the Basket of Discipline (Vinaya Pitaka), the Basket of Discourses (Sutta Pitaka) and the Basket ot Philosophy (Abhidhamma Pitaka).
”Three Jewels” or Three Gems, which by all Buddhists are revered as the most venerable things, are the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Holy Sangha.” i.e.: the Enlightened One; the law of deliverance discovered, realized and proclaimed by him; and the Community of Holy Disciples and those who live in accordance with the Law. - The contemplations of the 3 Jewels belong to the 10 contemplations (anussati q.v.).
”Threefold Refuge”, in which every faithful adherent of the Buddha puts his whole trust, consists in the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha (s. prec.).
The Buddha, or Enlightened One, is the teacher who by himself has discovered, realized and proclaimed to the world the law of deliverance. The Dhamma is the law of deliverance. The Sangha is the community of the disciples, who have realized or are striving to realize the law of deliverance.
The 3-fold Refuge in Pa^li, by the uttering of which one may also outwardly profess one”s faith, is still the same as in the Buddha”s time, namely:
Buddham saranam gaccha^mi
Dhammam saranam gaccha^mi
Sangham saranam gaccha^mi
I take my refuge in the Buddha!
I take my refuge in the Dhamma!
I take my refuge in the Sangha!
Literature: The Threefold Refuge by Nyanaponika Thera (WHEEL 76). - Devotion in Buddhism (WHEEL 18). Going for Refuge, by Bhikkhu Bodhi (WHEEL 282/284) - Khp. Tr. pp. 4ff.
Trailokya == 三界
see Three Realms.