The Homework Before Enlightenment

Thoroughly clarify the conceptual content of the five aggregates (pañcaskandha), then, in every present moment of your bodily, verbal, and mental actions, separate out the functions and operations of your own five aggregates one by one—identify what the aggregate of form (rūpa) is, what the aggregate of feeling (vedanā) is, what the aggregate of perception (saṃjñā) is, what the aggregate of formations (saṃskāra) is, and what the aggregate of consciousness (vijñāna) is.

Once you have identified all five aggregates, knock them all down with a single punch—none of them is me—and then engage in Chan investigation!

When Zhaozhou placed his shoes on top of his head, which was the aggregate of form, which was the aggregate of feeling, which was the aggregate of perception, which was the aggregate of formations, and which was the aggregate of consciousness?

When Nanquan drew his knife to kill the cat, which was the aggregate of form, which was the aggregate of feeling, which was the aggregate of perception, which was the aggregate of formations, and which was the aggregate of consciousness? And what about that other one?

When I handed the knife to Nanquan, which was the aggregate of form, which was the aggregate of feeling, which was the aggregate of perception, which was the aggregate of formations, and which was the aggregate of consciousness? And then, what about that one?