I agree with you that liberating consciousness is the goal of the path. But here's my interpretation of what "liberated consciousness" means, using the Buddha's light analogy -- What does light that not have an object to reflect upon look like? Darkness, pitch blackness, like the space between stars in a night sky. The photons are there, but they don't appear. I'd understand a non-manifest consciousness to be like that invisible photon.Cause_and_Effect wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:03 amI have come to the opposite perspective. The more I investigate the suttas it is clear to me liberation of mind/consciousness is the goal and this is beyond the aggregates.
The sutta I referenced clearly describes 'consciousness not landing' through not taking delight in the aggregate of consciousness.
Consciousness in the 6 sense bases is simply congizance. This include the mind sense base and mind-objects. So 'any arising cognizance of senses whatsoever is impermanant'.
Objectless consciousness is a synonym for Nibbana and separate from 'any type of sensory cogizance'.
The way I see it is this: An Arahant still uses the aggregates they were born with to function in this world, they just don't grasp them --- they are undefiled aggregates. Likewise, one still uses their aggregates to become enlightened --- Ven. Sariputta says wisdom and consciousness cannot be viewed as separate (going back to MN 43). So I guess I don't really see the need for a sort of "knowingness" or "witnessing" apart from the aggregates....non-grasping aggregates will do (what you call "witnessing" I'd suggest probably relates to Ven Sariputta's "pure mind consciousness free of sense consciousness"). Upon the breakup of the Arahant's body, the Arahant "enters" Parinibanna, and there is no more rebirth as any sort of aggregates.Cause_and_Effect wrote: ↑Mon Sep 27, 2021 6:03 am The teaching doesnt really make sense if all that we consider as a person is simplythe aggregates, and yet we are trying to be liberated from the aggregates.
The witnessing is beyond this and is what is liberated.
Elsewhere it is said that the six sense bases are 'the all' and that liberated citta is beyond the all.
This all points to a continuity of awareness aware of itself and liberated from involvement with the aggregates and sense bases as Nibbana.
"Elsewhere it is said that the six sense fields are 'the all' and that liberated citta is beyond the all." What sutta are you talking about here? Specifically, the part about the "liberated citta is beyond the all"? Thanks