The word dhammā, unlike Dhamma or Dharma, is often translated as phenomena.
According to Bhikkhu Bodhi, dhammā, as used in the fourth foundation of mindfulness (the fourth satipatthana), has "two interconnected meanings." The first has to do with mental factors, the second meaning refers to "elements of actuality, the ultimate constituents of experience as structured in the Buddha's teaching." The term "elements of actuality" does not mean these elements exist substantially. Rather, they are the lenses of our experience, ways we experience life.
Quotations above from Bhikkhu Bodi in The Noble Eightfold Path, pp. 89 - 90.
Our online groups for experienced meditators will be exploring these phenomena in weekly sessions between now and Thanksgiving. For more information or to join us see the Citta101 website under cybersittings.
According to Bhikkhu Bodhi, dhammā, as used in the fourth foundation of mindfulness (the fourth satipatthana), has "two interconnected meanings." The first has to do with mental factors, the second meaning refers to "elements of actuality, the ultimate constituents of experience as structured in the Buddha's teaching." The term "elements of actuality" does not mean these elements exist substantially. Rather, they are the lenses of our experience, ways we experience life.
"The point of the Buddha's teaching of anattā, egolessness, is that the basic constituents of actuality are bare phenomena (suddha-dhammā) occurring without any noumenal support."
Quotations above from Bhikkhu Bodi in The Noble Eightfold Path, pp. 89 - 90.
Our online groups for experienced meditators will be exploring these phenomena in weekly sessions between now and Thanksgiving. For more information or to join us see the Citta101 website under cybersittings.
