The Five Aggregates: Understanding Theravada Psychology and Soteriology

by Mathieu Boisvert

If Buddhism denies a permanent self, how does it perceive identity? According to Buddhist texts, the entire universe, including the individual, is made up of different phenomena, which Buddhism classifies into different what we conventionally call a “person” can be understood in terms of five aggregates, the sum of which must not be taken for a permanent entity, since beings are nothing but an amalgam of ever-changing phenomena. Although the aggregates are only a “convenient fiction,” the Buddha nevertheless made frequent use of the aggregate scheme when asked to explain the elements at work in the individual. In this study Mathieu Boisvert presents a detailed analysis of the five aggregates ( pañcakkhandhā ) and establishes how the Theravda tradition views their interaction. He clarifies the fundamentals of Buddhist psychology by providing a rigorous examination of the nature and interrelation of each of the aggregates and by establishing, for the first time, how the function of each of these aggregates chains beings to the cycle of birth, death and rebirth ― the theory of dependent origination ( paticcasamuppāda ). Boisvert contends that without a thorough understanding of the five aggregates, we cannot grasp the liberation process at work within the individual, who is, after all, simply an amalgam of the five aggregates. The Five Aggregates represents an important and original contribution to Buddhist studies and will be of great interest to all scholars and students of Buddhism.

Genres: Buddhism

184 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1995

Reviews

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book that explains the theory of the five aggregates and of the dependent origination.

[Daniele · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough analysis on the five aggregates, on their respective function and on their interaction. Moreover a detailed explanation on the correlation between each of the aggregates and certain links of the paticcasamuppada. From viññana to viññana the cycle of birth, death and rebirth is completed through the five khandas. This is a great study if you want to understand all the above. I am a Vipassana meditator and I found this book extremely functional to my daily practice. I highly recommend it to strengthen your practice.

[Fabio · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're searching for some excellent informations about Theravada's theory of the 5 aggregates this book is for you. Scholarly written, well documented it's a must have.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I'm a huge fan of J. Krishnamurti's "teachings," however, I feel that while he points followers in the right direction, he doesn't really instruct how to get to his "Choiceless Awareness," or that plane which he describes as being before thought (a common criticism of J.K., though he always claimed he did not want to be considered a teacher or guru.). I could say the same for Nisargadatta's teachings. "The Five Aggregates" by Mathieu Boisvert really helped me bridge those teachings to actual Buddhist (and even pre-Buddhist) doctrine. Boisvert stated that vedana (sensation) is considered the bifurcation point "from which diverge the road leading to the multiplication of unhappiness and the road leading to the eradication of misery." Further, "On account of contact [object + related sense organ + related consciousness - all three coming together] there is a sensation (vedana). What one senses...one recognizes, 'one thinks about'." I interpreted this (sensation before recognition) to parallel J.K.'s plane "before thought." Knowing this intellectually is of great importance to me.....now I need to see what I can do with it in actual practice.