Upekkha wrote:In this site sankhara has been defined as THOUGHTS, even kaya sankhara. For example vaci sankhara is not the speech itself but the THOUGHTS that lead to speech. Kaya sankhara is not the bodily action itself but the THOUGHTS that lead to the bodily action.
So in “sabbe sankhara anicca” and “sabbe sankhara dukkha”, the “sankhara” does not include speech itself or bodily action itself? It just means thoughts? As in “all THOUGHTS are anicca” or “all THOUGHTS are suffering?”
It is not only at this site that sankhara are thoughts. Sankhara are thoughts, period.
– Many people just do not KNOW what sankhara are!
– Just saying “mental formations” does not give the idea, even though it is not incorrect. It just does not have an impact.
– We need to realize that what we think, speak, and do, ALL depend on our MINDS.
If someone says “sankhara are not thoughts” ask him/her to explain what sankhara are.
Yes. All sankhara are thoughts. It does not mean we have to think for a long time to do something. It just means any speech or action requires a thought that arises in the mind.
Some thoughts arise spontaneously due to our gati!
– But one can ALWAYS stop any speech or action even if it starts due to gati. Just try it!
– That is the basis of Anapanasati/Satipatthana.
– When we practice Anapanasati/Satipatthana, our gati will change. That is the idea!