Venerables & friends,
Vacīsaṅkhāra seems to be distinct from the other two that make up the mind-body duality. For example, when we speak, the mouth moves but the content is often has little to do with the immediacy of experience. From this state of affairs comes along unanswerable questions about the soul and body and whether the two are the same thing or different.
In AN6.61 we read that the sage knows both ends but is not stuck in the middle. In the same sutta, the mendicants present variations of what both ends and the middle could possibly mean - while emphasizing taṇhā as the seamstress.
I can’t help but wonder why the following variation was not included:
Vacīsaṅkhāra is one end. The origin of vacīsaṅkhāra is the second end. The cessation of vacīsaṅkhāra is the middle and craving is the seamstress.
If the above variation have been presented to the Buddha, would have he approved? if not, why not?
Thank you