The Five Aggregates of Buddhism

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Buddhism is a religious philosophy aiming to promote a life of self-denial leading to a state of "nirvana;" however, this state is not defined concretely, but rather an abstract concept experienced and felt by Buddhists. The author points out that the five aggregates of Buddhism, the components that make up human individuality existing within humans are rupa (aggregate of matter), vijnana (consciousness), vedana (aggregate of feeling and sensation), samjna (aggregate of perception), and samskara (aggregate of mental form and volition). The paper relates that the author is an individual, who, through Buddhism, is constantly in search of a personal philosophy that will give justice to the true essence and meaning of "self."

From the Paper:

"Rupa is perhaps the most basic and tangible aggregate in Buddhism. This aggregate represents the physical manifestation of the human being's existence here on earth. Santina categorizes rupa as not only composed of the human being's body, "but also the material objects that surround us" (126). Specifically, rupa is best represented by the five sense organs of the human body. The inclusion of the sense organs of the body illustrate how the concept of rupa is not only perceived as a physical manifestation, but also the coordination of the elements composed within and outside the human body."

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