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Basic Dharma 06 - The Five Universal Mental Formations - Contact, Feeling, Perception

Thich Nhat Hanh · March 17, 1994 · Plum Village, France
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The talk guides on how to draw five circles symbolizing the five skandhas:

  1. The outer circle is form (body, physiology), which is made of both physical and psychological elements, related to the concept of non-form.
  2. Next are feeling (sensations), perception (notions), mental formations (the 51 mental formations), and consciousness (vijñāna/store consciousness), with arrows indicating that they are composed of both physiological-psychological and non-being elements, based on the Diamond Sutra and the teachings of Consciousness-Only (manas, ālayavijñāna).

Alongside theoretical analysis, Thay transmits a series of meditation mantras for practicing mindfulness right in the breath, the steps, and daily activities:

  1. I have arrived – I am home
  2. Now – here
  3. Solidity – freedom
  4. I take refuge in myself
  5. In – out – deep – slow

Applying these sentences helps to transform the “fiery furnace” of afflictions into a “lotus pond” of peace, manifesting miracles right on this earth.

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Previous Talk March 13, 1994
1h 59m

Basic Dharma 05 - The Five Universal Mental Formations - Stopping and Looking Deeply 01

Next Talk March 20, 1994
1h 58m

Basic Buddhist Teachings 07 - The Five Universal Mental Formations - Contact, Feeling, Perception