Question

Other writings on the Dhamma I have read listed consciousness last in the list of Five Aggregates, while you list it second, can you please explain why you differ?

Answer

Although it's normally listed last, I was putting it in that way so you'd be able to see how it works in the experiential practice, because consciousness does not arise after mental formations. There is the contact between the senses and their objects, and then there is the arising of consciousness. This is more in line with the dependent origination teaching that is given in the scriptures. So looking at it in this order helps us to understand the dependent arising sequence, with the practice and actually seeing the aggregates more moment to moment.

That is why I put them in that way, so you can see that there is a cause and effect relationship. There's the contact between the senses and their objects, there's the arising of consciousness of whatever the sense is, then there is the arising of the vedana, perception and mental formations.

So that is why I put the five aggregates in that order, to help you understand this cause and effect and see where you can cut the chain of the arising of Dukkha. Putting the aggregates in this order helps in seeing the dependent origination of suffering.

Our apologies if there are any errors in the above text. If anything seems to be wrong or confusing in any way, please feel free to contact the teachers for further clarification.