These are issues with words. It is not easy to convey meanings with words.
1. The main point is the following:
- “saññā vipallāsa” is the same as “distorted saññā.”
- “distorted saññā” is the “made-up saññā” presented to the mind by the physical body.
- When a puthujjana‘s mind believes in that “made-up saññā” that is “saññā vipallāsa.”
- An Arahant (unless in a jhana or samapatti) and a puthujjana BOTH RECEIVE “distorted saññā.”
- But an Arahant’s mind is not fooled by “saññā vipallāsa” or “distorted saññā.”
2. In the new post, the following appears at the beginning:
1. Kamma accumulation happens in two distinctive stages.
- In the first stage, the mind of a puthujjana attaches automatically to sensory input ( ārammaṇa) based on the “distorted saññā” we discussed in recent posts. That attachment is “saññā vipallāsa” or “fooled by the distorted saññā”; see “Fooled by Distorted Saññā (Sañjānāti) – Origin of Attachment (Taṇhā).”
Would it be better to say: That attachment is DUE TO “saññā vipallāsa”…?
- Or is it still unclear?
3. It is good to discuss these subtle points. I may be able to rewrite a sentence to convey the idea better.
P.S. “Vipallāsa” implies “being fooled.” As we discussed, viññāna is a magician presenting a magic show utilizing “distorted saññā.”
- While a puthujjana‘s mind falls for that “trick,” Arahant‘s mind would not.
P.P.S. (September 16, 2024): There is a critical difference between the effects of ditthi vipallasa and sanna vipallasa.
- At the Sotapnna stage, ditthi vipallasa disappears, and wrong views are removed.
- In contrast, sanna vipallasa is “built into” our mental and physical bodies. We can only train the mind to “ignore it” and “not to be fooled by it.” That happens in stages. An Anagami’s mind will still get the “distorted kama sanna” that honey is sweet, but it will not be attached to that taste. In another example, An Anagami will see the “beauty of a woman” but will not generate lust for the woman.
- But an Anagami (who has cultivated jhana/samapatti) will still be attached to jhanic or arupa samapatti “pleasures.” An Arahant (who has cultivated jhana/samapatti) will still feel the same jhanic or arupa samapatti “pleasures,” but their minds will not be attached to them.