Thanks Goeff,Ñāṇa wrote:..The aggregate scheme is mere designation (paññattimatta). The aggregates are not to be taken as "the ultimately existent given." With the elimination of passion, aggression, and delusion the mind is measureless (appamāṇacetasa). There is no criterion or measurement (pamāṇa) which can be used as a reference point to define a measureless cognition.rowyourboat wrote:Conventional: that monk the arahath
Ultimate: the khandas,devoid of upadana
All the best,
Geoff
I do no consider aggregates as ultimately existing- even they dissolve once avijja dissolves. 'Ultimate' (paramatta) is perhaps (or should I say,is) an unfortunate choice of terms suggesting a higher truth/existence, but not reflecting that they are in themselves conditionally arisen and insubstantial.
Appamanacetassa is an interesting term. It suggests some special quality of the mind of the arahanth, experientially speaking. But nevertheless it is mind and formed of aggregates, speaking on ultimate, conditioned terms. We make a mistake if we think that whatever that can be named as something other than nibbana (ie appamanacatassa) is unconditioned. Only nibbana is unconditioned. While nibbana cannot be defined, perhaps the 'measureless' or 'unlimited' mind cannot be measured and delimited. Since I am not an arahanth and dont have an experience of this mind the last sentence is mere speculation. I am averse to stating viewpoints without any basis in experience as this simply leads to clinging, defending, retorts, accusations, and general wrong speech, much akusla and set backs in my practice. Are you aware of the defilements that arise as we discuss these lofty issues?
With metta
Matheesha