Five Aggregates

The Prasangika refutation of the so-called “false self” provides the subtlest, most sophisticated deconstruction of this misconceived version of how we and others exist. In order to understand fully the Prasangika view, we need to go step by step through the grosser...

The term “four hallmarks” means the four characteristics or features that define an outlook on life with a Buddhist view, based on what Buddha taught.

The five aggregates perpetuate suffering and unsatisfactory happiness, yet the state of mind that will get rid of the source of our suffering is within the five aggregates.

Blame for our karma is based on the misconceptions involved with grasping for a self-established “me,” whereas taking responsibility for our karma is based on correct understanding of voidness and dependent arising.

In the study of abhidharma, special topics of knowledge, one explores the logical pervasions between these three sets of phenomena.

The usual structure of the five aggregates is formulated in terms of our moment-to-moment experience, going from grossest to the most subtle.