[Fellionas]

Having let go of all desire regarding each aggregate, what's left regarding mental processes ("disposition" is the word you use), once consciousness/cognition ceases;

Consciousness arises when the six senses are in contact with its object of consiousness. Eye consiousness for colors... and mind consiousness for ideas being mind just another sense organ. With out contact consiousness ceases.

We can not avoid sense contact but we can be mindful of craving, clinging and self identification when contact happens along each khandha.

Cessation in this terms should be understood as quenching or extinguishing of the fire of craving and self identification. The Pail term is Nirodha.

Of course a Buddha functions perfectly and answers questions and teaches and is compassionate, etc. Yes, he was an Arahat and outstanding teacher.

In psychology, we have difficulty understanding how a higher being (such as human) can function without any cognition. I am not a psychologist but many schools are grounded in the idea of a "Self". Non self doctrine threatens them very much.


Cessation is where something ceases to occur or function. Again, cessation is about quenching or extinguishing self identification, craving, clinging with such function; for each khanda.

It's been said that a Buddha can smell with his eye, see with his toes, etc. What does that mean? Does anyone believe that? Please quote that... I still haven't gone through that statement in any of the few suttas I have read.

Please understand, I am not requesting that you answer any of these. I'm just throwing things out that concern me (kind of thinking out loud). And of course best to just practice (I am off to meditate right now!).

I also apologize as well for any harshness in my tone, previously. I am hoping to understand things better for the benefit of myself and anyone else who is interested in this topic. No problem tijampel. Indeed I know I am not the best one making this things clear. Hope other members with more experience with the early teachings of Buddha can be of more help.

Again, Buddha explains it much more clearly, here:

Seeing thus, the well-instructed disciple of the noble ones grows disenchanted with form, disenchanted with feeling, disenchanted with perception, disenchanted with fabrications, disenchanted with consciousness. Disenchanted, he becomes dispassionate. Through dispassion, he is fully released. With full release, there is the knowledge, 'Fully released.' He discerns that 'Birth is ended, the holy life fulfilled, the task done. There is nothing further for this world.'

Anatta-lakkhana Sutta
take care;

tj Kind wishes tj