Feb 18 2009
∞
“ The first component is form (rupa), the beginning of individuality
and separate existence, and the division of experience
into subject and object. Now there is a primitive ‘self aware of an
external world. As soon as this happens, the self reacts to its
surroundings: this is the second stage, feeling (vedana). It is not
yet fully developed emotion—just an instinctive liking, dislike or
indifference, but immediately it grows more complicated as the
centralised entity asserts itself by reacting not only passively but
actively. This is the third stage, perception (samjna), in its fullest
sense, when the self is aware of stimulus and automatically responds
to it. The fourth component is concept (samskara), covering
the intellectual and emotional activity of interpretation which
follows perception. It is what puts things together, and builds up
the patterns of personality and karma. Finally there is consciousness
(vijnana) which combines all the sense-perceptions and the
mind. The self has now become a complete universe of its own;
instead of directly perceiving the world as it really is, it projects its
own images all around it.
and separate existence, and the division of experience
into subject and object. Now there is a primitive ‘self aware of an
external world. As soon as this happens, the self reacts to its
surroundings: this is the second stage, feeling (vedana). It is not
yet fully developed emotion—just an instinctive liking, dislike or
indifference, but immediately it grows more complicated as the
centralised entity asserts itself by reacting not only passively but
actively. This is the third stage, perception (samjna), in its fullest
sense, when the self is aware of stimulus and automatically responds
to it. The fourth component is concept (samskara), covering
the intellectual and emotional activity of interpretation which
follows perception. It is what puts things together, and builds up
the patterns of personality and karma. Finally there is consciousness
(vijnana) which combines all the sense-perceptions and the
mind. The self has now become a complete universe of its own;
instead of directly perceiving the world as it really is, it projects its
own images all around it.
— Книга мертвых
