Minowani's Writings

on what the Buddha taught

Saṅkhārā is often seen translated as (volitional) formations, fabrications, etc.

It is certainly understandable how certain aspects of saṅkhārā got to be translated as saṅkhārā, but in doing so it also got a bit abstract and unclear.

Important is to remember that all what is grasped on as 'me, this I am, etc.' which do not fall into one of the other masses-with-grasping, fall into this one. And what do you think, do you sense you to be (volitional) formations or fabrications?

Saṅkhārā translates as inclinations. When we say one is wired in such way or one is of such or so character it relates to this mass. And when something goes against ‘how you are wired’, thus inclined, then you‘ll quickly notice how strongly this goes against your ‘sense of being’, ‘you’.

For a more in-depth explanation on inclinations in the context of dependent-co-arising see Knowing.

Saṅkhārā (pl.) inclinations.