Buddha Abhidhamma - Ultimate Science - BuddhaNet

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sound strikes the ear-base, sota-dvàra vãthi arises, and
so on.
5 Those, who have difficulty to understand the five
upàdànakkhandhas, may understand the twelve àyatanas
and thus see the absence of an ego-entity called ‘atta’
or ‘self’. This understanding may lead to their liberation.
6 One other reason why the ‘àyatanas’ are so-called is that
they cause the long cycle of misery.
4 Eighteen Dhàtus (Eighteen Elements)
“Dhàtu” is that which bears its own characteristics. It exists in
nature and functions its purpose, but it is not a living being.
Buddha has divided all the realities into 18 dhàtus or
elements for the benefit of those who could not understand
upàdànakkhandhas and àyatanas to show them clearly that there
is no ‘atta’ nor ‘a living being’. The eighteen dhàtus are equally
divided into three groups: (a) six subjective elements, (b) six
objective elements, and (c) six intellectual elements.
a Six Subjective Elements (Dvàras)
1 Cakkhu-dhàtu – cakkhu-pasàda – eye-door
2 Sota-dhàtu – soto-pasàda – ear-door
3 Ghàna-dhàtu – Ghàna-pasàda – nose-door
4 Jivhà-dhàtu – jivhà-pasàda – tongue-door
5 Kàya-dhàtu – kàya-pasàda – body-door
6 Mano-dhàtu – pa¤ca-dvàràvajjana and 2 sampaticchanas.
b Six Object Elements (Sense-objects)
7 Råpa-dhàtu – vaõõa – visible object
8 Sadda-dhàtu – sadda – sound
9 Gandha-dhàtu – gandha – odour