A STUDY ON KHANDHA 5 IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF BUDDHASA BHIKKHU

Abstract

This research article includes three objectives: (1) to study the  Khandha 5 (Pancakhandha) appearing in the Buddhist scriptures; (2) to explore the Khandha 5 in the view of Buddhadasa Bhikku; and (3) to analytically study the concept of the Khandha 5 in the view of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu. It was a qualitative research focusing on documentary research depending on Tipitaka scriptures, preaching and books written by Buddhadasa Bhikku, Buddhist academicians and related researches.   The results of this research were as follows. 1) Regarding Khandha 5 appearing in Theravada Buddhism, Khandha can be interpreted as division, section and group. Khandha 5 is the five aggregates of life including Rupakhandha, Vedanà-khandha, Sannà-khandha, Sankhàra-khandha, Vinnana-khandha or they can be named Rupa and Nama or Kaya (Physical body) and Citta (mind). They are the depended components of the existence according to the natural process. They are systematically and indivisibly interrelated. In addition, Khandha 5 is related to Dhamma principle including Tilakkhana, Paticca-samuppàda, Ariyasacca. 2) Khandha 5 (the Five Aggregates), according to the view of Buddhadasa Bhikku, means Rupa and Nama that can be divided into 5 aggregates including: Rupakhandha i.e. a physical form; Vedanà-khandha i.e. feelings of happiness, sufferings, or in neutrality; Sannà-khandha i.e. perception or mindfulness; Sankhàra-khandha i.e. mental formations; Vinnàna-khandha i.e. consciousness towards external factors through eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, as well as  mind that is the special features of each aggregate. 3) An analytical study on the concept of Khandha 5 in the view of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu,  Khandha 5 is closely related to the fundamental Dhamma principles including Tilakkhana, Paticca-samuppàda and Ariyasacca as follows: Tilakkhana with the three characteristics of Aniccam, Dukkham, Anattà; Paticca-samuppàda with the states of interdependency; and Ariyasacca as the principle of living through an understanding of sufferings and how to end sufferings based on wisdom in following the endless changing and developing world with neither suffering nor clinging to it but attaining the ultimate destination of all human beings i.e. the enlightenment.