VJed v VSVed. V VSVS

 A

The Pali terms “viññāṇa, saññā, vedanā, saṅkhāra” are key concepts in Buddhist teachings, especially in the context of the Five Aggregates (pañcakkhandha) — the five components that make up human experience. Here’s what each means in English:

1. Viññāṇa (Consciousness) – Awareness or the knowing faculty that arises when the mind comes into contact with an object through one of the six senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind).
   Example: Seeing a color involves visual consciousness.
2. Saññā (Perception or Recognition) – The mental factor that recognizes and labels what is perceived — identifying shapes, sounds, smells, etc.
   Example: Recognizing “this is red” or “that’s a dog.”
3. Vedanā (Feeling or Sensation) – The experience of pleasure, pain, or neutrality that arises from contact with an object.
   Example: Feeling pleasure from music or discomfort from loud noise.
4. Saṅkhāra (Mental Formations or Volitional Activities) – The complex of mental habits, intentions, and reactions that condition our thoughts and actions. It includes will, motivation, and karmic tendencies.
   Example: The intention to speak kindly, or the habit of reacting with anger.

Together with rūpa (form or body), these four form the five aggregates — the complete process of experience that makes up what we call a “person.”

Would you like me to give a simple everyday example showing how all four (plus rūpa) work together in one moment of experience?

A