The Doctrine of Five Skandhas in Buddhist Anthropology(Based on the Pali Canon)
Subject Areas : Buddhism
1 -
Keywords: Buddha, Pali Canon, Skandha, Human, Anātman, Body.,
Abstract :
In the anthropology of Indian schools, we mainly encounter essentialist views. The Buddha's theory is in conflict with essentialist metaphysical views. Buddha, in order to explain the ontological nature of man, proposes the doctrine of the five skandhas. In this study, we have attempted to explain the theory of the skandhas using a descriptive-analytical method and based on the Pali Canon as well as the works of Buddhist scholars. according to this doctrine, man is composed of rupa or physical form, vedanā or feeling, sannā or cognition, samkāra or volitional actions and intentions, and vinnāna or consciousness. Each of these skandhas has sub-divisions. There are some characteristics that are somehow common to each of the five skandhas: 1- none of them would have distinct and independent identity, 2- all are conditioned and are in the causal chain of phenomena, 3- all five skandhas are impermanent, 4- none of them is the constituent of the Atman/substantial soul, and 5- through this theory, the Buddha tries to provide a functional explanation. Finally, some of these Skandhas have an eschatological position and are related to the issue of reincarnation and human rebirth.
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