Significance of Aggregate

Aggregate in Tibetan Buddhism refers to a collection of attributes or perceptions that create an illusory understanding of existence. In Arthashastra, it describes a formation of units in a staff-like array. In Mahayana Buddhism, Aggregate, or skandha, consists of five components—form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness—that define an individual's experience and illustrate non-self. In Theravada, Aggregate encompasses the components of existence as outlined in Buddhist teachings.1
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Synonyms: Assemble, Sum, Total, Merge

In Dutch: Totaal; In Finnish: Aggregaatti; In Spanish: Agregar; In German: Aggregat

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Aggregate'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, "Aggregate" (or skandha) comprises five components—form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness—that shape individual experience, serving to illustrate non-self and elucidate the nature of existence and perception.

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]

(1) Aggregates are the collective appearances of the thought-phases when referred to collectively; they provide a framework for understanding the interplay of experiences.[1] (2) The sum of items or concepts that are collectively denoted, as referred to in the text.[2] (3) The collection of attributes or perceptions related to the cloth that leads to an illusory understanding of its existence.[3]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) The components of existence, which a monk must understand to grasp the nature of suffering and the path to enlightenment.[4]

From: A Manual of Abhidhamma

(1) Refers to khandha, which denotes the components that constitute a being.[5]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) Known as skandha, these are five components (form, sensation, perception, mental formations, consciousness) that constitute an individual's experience and are essential in Buddhist analysis to illustrate the concept of non-self.[6]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Aggregate'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "Aggregate" can be interpreted as a structured formation of spiritual or physical elements, represented by two lines of units, symbolizing harmony and balance within a unified framework.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)

(1) The collection of elements or properties discussed in the context of the adhikarana.[7]

From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)

(1) The two different classes of things, and having two different causes which the Bauddhas assume, viz. the aggregate of the elements and elementary things whose cause the atoms are, and the aggregate of the five skandhas whose cause the skandhas are, cannot be established.[8]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Arthashastra (politics and welfare):
Arthashastra Books

From: Kautilya Arthashastra

(1) A formation consisting of two lines of units within a staff-like array.[9]

Arthashastra literature concerns itself with the teachings (shastra) of economic prosperity (artha) statecraft, politics and military tactics. The term arthashastra refers to both the name of these scientific teachings, as well as the name of a Sanskrit work included in such literature. This book was written (3rd century BCE) by by Kautilya, who flourished in the 4th century BCE.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) Samuhasya implies the aggregate or collective essence from which jivas derive their existence.[10]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Jain concept of 'Aggregate'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, the term "Aggregate" relates to skandha, encompassing the diverse elements that collectively form existence, illustrating the interdependence of various components in understanding the nature of reality.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) Refers to the skandha, a collection of elements that make up existence.[11]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

Plural form: Aggregates.