Greetings pulga,
pulga wrote:I realize that nibbána is defined as asankhata in the suttas, but sankhara is used so broadly throughout the canon that it is difficult to always determine just what is meant by it.
I would suggest that sankhata (the formed) is the opposite of asankhata (the unformed).
To wit, here's a reasonably exhaustive and forumlaic list of ways in which asankhata (unformed, not sankhara) can be achieved, and what alternative representations exist for asankhata... take the opposite of these things and aspects of what constitutes being sankhata may come to mind. Phassa being sankhata, of course.
SN 42.2.1 -
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Monks, I will tell the uncompounded and the path to the uncompounded, listen carefully.
Monks, what is the uncompounded? Monks, that destruction of greed, hate and delusion is called the uncompounded.
Monks, what is the path to the uncompounded? Monks, calm* is the path to the uncompounded**.
Monks I have told you the uncompounded and the path to the uncompounded.
Monks, I have done what should be done by the Teacher, out of compassion and love for his disciples.
Monks, there are roots of trees, there are empty houses, concentrate, do not be negligent and repent later. This is our advice to you.
* - Throughout the vagga, the word "calm" is replaced in subsequent suttas by...
- insight
- concentration accompanied by reasoning and investigation
- concentration without thoughts and a little investigation
- concentration without thoughts and investigations
- concentration on emptiness
- concentrating without a sign
- concentrating in the aimless
- mindful and aware of the body in the body, to burn covetousness and displeasure in the world
- mindful and aware of feelings in feelings to burn covetousness and displeasure in the world
- mindful and aware of mental states in the mind to burn covetousness and displeasure in the world
- mindful and aware of thoughts in the Teaching to burn covetousness and displeasure in the world
- arouses interest, endeavors strives and stretches forth his mind to stop the arising of non-arisen demerit
- arouses interest, endeavors strives and stretches forth his mind to dispel arisen demerit
- arouses interest, endeavors strives and stretches forth his mind to arouse non-arisen merit
- arouses interest, endeavors strives and stretches forth his mind for the non-confused duration, for the development and completion of arisen merit
- develops psychic power, endowed with interested concentration striving and with determination
- develops psychic power, endowed with energetic concentration striving and with determination
- develops psychic power, endowed with mental concentration striving and with determination
- develops psychic power, endowed with investigating concentration striving and with determination
- develops the mental faculty of faith, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the mental faculty of energy, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the mental faculty of mindfulness, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the mental faculty of concentration, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the mental faculty of wisdom, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the power of faith, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the power of energy, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the power of mindfulness, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the power of concentration, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the power of wisdom, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the enlightenment factor mindfulness, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops the enlightenment factor investigating the Teaching energy joy composure concentration equanimity secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops right view, secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
- develops right thoughts right speech right action right livelihood right effort right mindfulness right concentration secluded, dispassionate, intent on ceasing and maturing and surrendering to give up
** - "the uncompounded" is replaced also as...
- the end
- the outflows
- the truth
- the beyond
- accomplishment
- the difficult to see
- non-decay
- the permanent (though personally I'd like to see the Pali word to see if I agree with this one)
- non-destruction
- the lack of a sign
- the lack of worldliness
- the appeasement
- the deathless
- the exalted
- the auspicious
- the peaceful
- the destruction of craving
- the not-born
- the wonderful
- no harm
- the teaching of non-harm
- extinction
- freedom from suffering
- the destruction of passion
- purity
- emancipation
- non-settlement
- reach the light
- shelter
- the peace offered by the teaching
- the refuge
- the beyond
Metta,
Retro.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."