The Illusoriness of Sensations

When your foot is bitten by a mosquito and itches intensely, yet you cannot locate exactly where the itch is—what principle does this illustrate? When you shift your attention to thinking about a problem, the itch is no longer felt. Why is that?

The tangible sense-objects of the external foot are transmitted into the supreme faculty (indriya) and become inner tangible sense-objects. The manas and the mind consciousness discern the tangible sense-objects within the supreme faculty, but cannot clearly identify the exact location. Perhaps there is a problem with the transmitting nerves, perhaps the location was not transmitted clearly, perhaps the manifestation was unclear, or perhaps the conscious mind cannot discern it clearly. In short, the tangible sense-objects discerned by the sixth and seventh consciousnesses are not the real tangible sense-objects of the foot. Therefore, we need not pay too much attention to the forms, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, and dharmas contacted by the seven consciousnesses, because they are all illusory and unreal dharmas. And the seven consciousnesses themselves are likewise illusory and unreal; the feelings and perceptions of the seven consciousnesses are equally illusory and unreal. Thus, the feelings and perceptions of the conscious mind are not self.

When the manas and the mind consciousness do not direct their attention (manasikāra) toward the inner tangible sense-objects of the foot, there are no clear feelings and perceptions; hence, when attention is shifted elsewhere, the itch is no longer felt. This shows the illusory nature of feelings and perceptions.