A study of Pañcakhandha Contemplation Model in Pheṇapiṇḍūpama Sutta

Abstract

This article was a part of research paper entitled ‘A study of Pañcakhandha Contemplation Model in Pheṇapiṇḍūpamasutta’ containing 2 objectives; 1) to study the structure, content and the teachings in Pheṇapiṇḍūpama Sutta, 2) to study of Pañcakhandha contemplation model in Pheṇapiṇḍūpama Sutta. It was a qualitative research. The findings revealed that Pheṇapiṇḍūpama Sutta is the discourse containing the metaphors of five aggregates called Khandha. The Buddha delivered teaching to Bhikkhus by giving metaphor of matter with a group of sponges, feeling with the bubble, perception with mirage, thought with banana tree and consciousness with magician, all of them are empty, void. This flesh body being abandoned, becomes a meal of other animals, the trick to fool the unlearned person, and without the essence. Those who observe the great effort, mindfulness and always aware of aggregates practice insight in both of days and nights. Pañcakhandha contemplation model in Pheṇapiṇḍūpamasutta revealed that this discourse taught the way to observe the reality of five aggregates or Nāma or name and Rūpa or form at the present moment, observing Nāma and Rūpa clearly until entering into various insight knowledge, i.e., Nāmarūpaparichedañāṇa up to Maggañāṇa and Phalañāṇa in final. Those Bhikkhus who rightly followed insight development will surely gain the fruits of such spiritual investigation, the realization of three common characteristics. Having realized such truth, the mind will soon detach and release from five aggregate attachments, finally become the Noble One.