A Stream-Enterer Has Abandoned Confusion in the Case of ‘Clinging to Aggregates’

Monks, when what exists, by clinging to what, by adhering to what, does such a view as this arise: ‘The winds do not blow, the rivers do not flow, pregnant women do not give birth, the moon and sun do not rise and set but stand as steady as a pillar’?

‘Venerable Sir, our Teachings are rooted in The Perfectly Enlightened One, take recourse in The Perfectly Enlightened One. It would be good if The Perfectly Enlightened One would clear up the meaning of this statement. Having heard it from him, the Monks will remember it.’

Then listen and attend closely, Monks, I will speak.

When there is form, Monks, by clinging to form, by adhering to form, such a view as this arises: The winds do not blow, the rivers do not flow, pregnant women do not give birth, the moon and sun do not rise and set but stand as steady as a pillar.

(In the case of feeling, perception, volitional formations (choices/decisions), and consciousness, the discourses are identical except for the reference to each of the aggregates previously mentioned.)

What do you think, Monks, is form permanent or impermanent?

‘Impermanent, Venerable Sir.’

Is what is impermanent discontentedness or peacefulness?

“Discontentedness, Venerable Sir.”

But without clinging to what is impermanent, discontentedness, and subject to change, could such a view as this arise: The winds do not blow, the rivers do not flow, pregnant women do not give birth, the moon and sun do not rise and set but stand as steady as a pillar?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

(In the case of feeling, perception, volitional formations (choices/decisions), and consciousness, the discourses are identical except for the reference to each of the aggregates previously mentioned.)

That which is seen, heard, sensed, recognized, attained, sought after, and ranged over by the mind: is that permanent or impermanent?

‘Impermanent, Venerable Sir.’

Is what is impermanent discontentedness or peacefulness?

‘Discontentedness, Venerable Sir.’

But without clinging to what is impermanent, discontentedness, and subject to change, could such a view as this arise: The winds do not blow, the rivers do not flow, pregnant women do not give birth, the moon and sun do not rise and set but stand as steady as a pillar?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

When, Monks, a Noble Disciple has abandoned confusion in these six cases, and when, further, he has abandoned confusion about discontentedness, the cause of discontentedness, the elimination of discontentedness, and the way leading to the elimination of discontentedness, he is then called a Noble Disciple who is a Stream-Enterer, no longer bound to the nether world, fixed in destination, with Enlightenment as his destination.

(Reference: SN 24.1)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that a Practitioner who has the wisdom of The Five Aggregates understands they are impermanent and no longer is interested in clinging to them. The mind of a Stream-Enterer understands that holding on to anything that is impermanent, including The Five Aggregates, will only cause discontentedness and to eliminate discontentedness the mind needs to be trained to let go.

With The Five Aggregates representing what makes “a being a being”, the mind needs to get to the point where it understands The Five Aggregates and Dependent Origination so well that it no longer holds on, or clings, to existence. A Stream-Enterer will know this to be true but has not yet accomplished the goal of eliminating clinging to The Five Aggregates. It is not until a Practitioner has eliminated the sixth and seventh fetter that the mind has completely eliminated craving/clinging to existence.

6.) Desire for form (Elimination of desire for existence in the form realms; Animal or Human. Elimination of the fear of death.)

7.) Desire for the formless (Elimination of desire for existence in the formless realms; Hell, Afflicted Spirits, or Heaven.)