Siebe:
“This makes no sense, so there must be…”
As far as I can see, the Unconditioned is attained by the conditioned. This DOES make sense, because if the Unconditioned is attained only by the Unconditioned, then what would there be to attain? The Unconditioned would be at once the means and the goal – so there would be nothing to attain.
We find Suttas like Dutiyasannasutta (AN 7.49), for instance, that list 7 perceptions (in one other Sutta at least more are added) that ‘gain a footing'(amatogadha) in the Deathless (i.e in Nibbana, the Unconditioned) leading to (amatapariyosana) that Deathless. All the aggregates of conditions which you list are developed through the brain, as a channel, an intermediary, to the mind ( hadaya vatthu) where the progress takes place, is registered and stored.
This is where ‘The basic suggestion by the Buddha to make one’s mind better is to remove lobha, dosa, moha from one’s mind’ (Lal) becomes relevant. Because the ‘ground work’ for all that is done by the brain; the ‘front line’is the brain making use of the conditioned to the best of its ability.
I hope I have been clear.
much Metta