5 Skandhas are what we are in the relative world. 8 consciousnesses describe what our consciousness consists of, and the relationship between different layers of consciousness. Karma describes the content, nature, succession of our action, which leads to the Buddhists concept of reincarnation in the 6 realms.
5 Skandhas (五蘊):
Form(色): physical
Feeling(受): sensual
Thinking(想): mental
Motion(行): physical, sensual, mental, perceptual
Consciousness(識): see 8 consciousnesses below
8 Consciousness (八識):
Eye(眼), Ear(耳), Nose(鼻), Tongue(舌), Body(身), Mind(意), self(末那), database(阿賴耶)
Karma (業):
3 types: body (身), speech (口), intention (意)
Succession: Past karma (via the body, speech, intention) shapes our present life; present decisions shape our future potential.
Karma in 3 lives (三世因果):
Chinese saying: If you want to know about the past, it is reflected in your current situation; if you want to know about the future, it is suggested in your current action. “欲知前生事, 今生受即是; 欲知來生事, 今生作即是。”
Reincarnation in 6 realms (六道輪迴):
Based on individual’s karmic propensities, Buddhists believe that one will be reborn to one of the 6 realms: heaven, asura, human, animal, ghost, hell. Reincarnation will cease or be transcended with spiritual enlightenment.
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