Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

santa100 wrote:Although the physical brain is important to the proper function of the mind, it'd be incorrect to say the mental process "comes" from the brain. In other word, the mind is not "born" out of the brain. Otherwise, it'd mean the "body" is a resort to the mind. But instead, it's the "mind" that is the resort to the other 5 sense faculties. So during meditation, when you think about a mental object, according to the sutta, that means your mind, the mental object, and your mind consciousness have made "contact". .

Could you tell me what is Mano (mind and mind objects) in terms of five aggregat. Is it Snkhara?
Please also tell me what is mind and objects in terms of Dependent Origination. Is it Vinnana?

Hi SarathW, the Five Aggregates could also be sliced and diced differently as NamaRupa (Name and Form). This way of classification makes it a bit easier to see the relationship with Mano since Rupa refers to the physical /material side while Nama refers to the cognitive side of individual existence. Nama is further explained by the Buddha in SN 12.2 ( http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka ... .than.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ):

And what is name-&-form? Feeling, perception, intention, contact, & attention: This is called name. The four great elements, and the form dependent on the four great elements: This is called form. This name & this form are called name-&-form.

So from that, although Mano is not explicitly defined within the context of the Five Aggregates, we could safely say that Nama is centered on Mano just like Rupa is centered on the CatuDhatu (4 great elements: earth, water, fire, and air).

Similarly for the DO model, which also contains NamaRupa as the 4th link of the chain. However, other links of DO also relate to mind and mind objects like: Contact (phassa), an essential factor between mind and mind objects; Six Sense Bases (salayatana) which is inclusive of the 5 physical faculties and the "mind" faculty.

Your last question is whether Mano is the same as Vinnana (consciousness). And the answer is no. Vinnana is actually the condition to Mano. However, the two are mutually dependent, just like "two sheaves of reeds leaning against one another"..

Thanks. What a great answer!