Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

254 VimuttimaggaThree Truths are comprehended in the aggregates and also in the Truths.Restraint is not comprehended in the aggregates and also not in the Truths.Thus should one discern the method of understanding the aggregates. Thisis called the aggregate method.The aggregate method has ended.TWELVE SENSE-ORGANS AND SENSE-OBJECTSQ. What is the sense-organ method? A. There are twelve sense-organs(and sense-objects): sense-organ of eye, sense-object of matter, sense-organ- ofear, sense-object of sound, sense-organ of nose, sense-object of odour, senseorganof tongue, sense-object ef taste, sense-organ of body, sense-object oftouch, sense-organ of mind, sense-object of ideas. 1 Here, eye-organ is sentientelement. By this one sees material objects. Material object is elementalform. This is the field of eye. The ear-organ is sentient element. By thisone hears sounds. Sound-object is elemental expression. This is the fieldof the ear. Nose-organ is sentient element. By this one smells. Odourobjectis elemental scent. It is the field of the nose. Tongue-organ is sentientelement. By this one tastes. Taste-object is elemental flavour. This isthe field of the tongue. The body-organ is sentient element. By it one feelsfineness, smoothness (and so on). Touch-object is hardness, softness, coolnessand warmth of the elements of earth, water, fire and air. This is the field ofthe body. Mind organ is the element of the seven kinds of consciousness.Element of ideas comprises the three formless aggregates, the eighteen subtlematerial qualities and Nibbdna. These are the twelve sense-organs (andsense-objects).And again, these twelve sense-organs (and sense-objects) should be knownby their distinctive qualities in five ways: through word meaning, limits,condition, arising of. . .* distinctive thought and comprehension.THROUGH WORD MEANINGQ. How, through word meaning? A. Eye means, seeing. Materialobject means appearance. Ear means, hearing. Sound means, noise. Nosemeans, olfaction. Odour means, smell. Tongue means, tasting. Tastemeans, flavour. Body means, experiencing. Touch means, contact. Mindmeans, knowing. Idea means, non-living. 2 Organ means, entrance into theformless, place, resting-place. Thus one should know through word meaning.1. D. Ill, 102: Chay imdni bhante ajjhattika-bdhirdni dyatandni, cakkhum c* eva rupa ca tsotah c' eva saddd ca, ghdnan c 1 eva gandha ca, jivhd c* eva rasa ca, kayo c 9 eva phofthabbdca, rnano c' eva dhammd ca.* Unintelligible.2. Lit. Nijjiva.