Expert: Justin Choo - 2/5/2009

Question
Hello. I am a 14 year old beginning theravada Buddhist, originally an atheist, but recently (a few weeks ago) I have had a change of heart.

I have two questions, and they have to do with re-becoming. The first is rather long, but the second is short (I hope you have the time).

The first is, quite simply, that this concept says that every moment the five aggregates which compose a being are constantly dying, in a constant state of change, and that the 'final' so called 'death' is in fact simply another such step in an unending chain.

As is said, "When the aggregates arise, decay and die, oh bhikkhu, every moment you are born, decay and die.'

Now, my question is; how does change equate to death? You may have a tadpole, and within it's life it will change into a frog. But has this tadpole died? I do no think so. However, when the frog ages and it's body begins to wear out, and eventually it dies, then finally the first aggregate not only changes, but changes into a non-coherent mass. It is no longer a frog, because while the body of that frog may have changed over time, each change still kept it as a functioning whole.

(Note that I am speaking mostly of the first aggregate; I can understand that the other four may be passed on to another 'being')

In short, why is change, from one (still functioning)entity the same as change to no (or one non-functioning) entity?

My second question is fairly short. Does the concept of re-birth entail that the last four aggregates, those of the 'mind', can be separate from the first, or the body?

Thank you in advance, and I hope this is not too long :)

Sincerely,
Nicolaas

Answer
Hi Nicolaas,

You have asked a very difficult question and equally will be difficult to provide an adequate answer, especially with my elementary knowledge of the five aggregates.  However I shall try to do my best.

You have not specified what the five aggregates are, and specially what is the first aggregate.  So let me confirm so that we are talking about the same concept.  The Five Aggregates are form, feeling, perception, mental fromations and consciousness.

We are now discussing about the first aggregate which is form or corporeality.  There are four elements comprosing form, namely solidity, liquidity, heat, and motion.  Generally we will take it as the physical body.

<<Now, my question is; how does change equate to death?>>
I would say that this "death" refers to the final stage of a cycle, where after that a new cycle of change begins.  As for the tadpole, The "death" of the tadpole is merely the end of a cycle of the metamorphosis of the life-stages of a frog. Another example is the life-cycle of a butterfly.

As "form" is tangible or physical, we are able to witness its disintegration.  The final disintegration is "death" in the physical sense.  After that we are not able to witness the continuation of the "next cycle" of existence. So this physical death, as far as we are concerned is the end of life; rightly so because life is no more there in that disintegrated form.  Buddhists view this "death" as the end of a mere cycle of existence.  It is the end of this physiacl form, but the beginning of the next life-cycle.

<<My second question is fairly short. Does the concept of re-birth entail that the last four aggregates, those of the 'mind', can be separate from the first, or the body?>>

Rebirth is the separation of the physical body. The other aggregates would be referred to as consciousness.  The consciousness is always in a flux, always changing.  Only the "personality" or traits continue its journey as the "storehouse" of consciousness.  This storehouse of consciousness is the accumulation of our kamma which will seek an "appropriate" rebirth.  The "aggregates" flow like a stream continuously changing.  It is neither completely different nor exactly the same; just like one life going through the stages from youth to old age.


Hope this helps.

Justin Choo
   

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