DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - An Inquiry/Challenge/Q&A on Literal Rebirth, not a Debate!

**Luisabens** · 06-10-2012, 05:08 AM

"Vaccha, when a flame is being swept on by the wind and goes a far distance, I designate it as wind-sustained, for the wind is its sustenance at that time."

"Vaccha, when a being sets this body aside and is not yet reborn in another body, I designate it as craving-sustained, for craving is its sustenance at that time."

Vaccha was a befuddled wanderer who the buddha rarely spoke dhamma directly to. keep in mind it was Vaccha who created the metaphor about the flame & wind and not buddha. buddha replied the wind sustains the flame being swept rather than the flame itself. wind cannot sustain flame. there must also be physical matter (twig; leaf; etc) to sustain the flame.

also, the buddha was not refering to the physical body. the Pali word is 'kaya', meaning 'group' or 'collection' or 'body' of aggregates.

when you enjoy eating ice-cream, the five aggregates are a certain way. there is a certain 'collection' of aggregates related to enjoying & eating ice-cream. then when you stop eating ice-cream, that collection of aggregates is set aside. but the mental tendency to enjoy & eat ice-cream remains, which is "craving sustained".

06-10-2012, 05:08 AM	#4
Luisabens Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 437 Senior Member	"Vaccha, when a flame is being swept on by the wind and goes a far distance, I designate it as wind-sustained, for the wind is its sustenance at that time." "Vaccha, when a being sets this body aside and is not yet reborn in another body, I designate it as craving-sustained, for craving is its sustenance at that time." Vaccha was a befuddled wanderer who the buddha rarely spoke dhamma directly to. keep in mind it was Vaccha who created the metaphor about the flame & wind and not buddha. buddha replied the wind sustains the flame being swept rather than the flame itself. wind cannot sustain flame. there must also be physical matter (twig; leaf; etc) to sustain the flame. also, the buddha was not refering to the physical body. the Pali word is 'kaya', meaning 'group' or 'collection' or 'body' of aggregates. when you enjoy eating ice-cream, the five aggregates are a certain way. there is a certain 'collection' of aggregates related to enjoying & eating ice-cream. then when you stop eating ice-cream, that collection of aggregates is set aside. but the mental tendency to enjoy & eat ice-cream remains, which is "craving sustained".
	Quote