Kicca Ñāṇa: Knowledge of Function (Sankhatattho - Conditioned Nature)

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When the eye and a visible form make contact, visual consciousness arises. This very visual consciousness is the manifestation of the Truth of Suffering (Dukkha Sacca). It is the arising of the six sense bases (Salāyatana). When auditory consciousness arises, it is also the Truth of Suffering. Whenever olfactory consciousness arises, it is the Truth of Suffering. To know with utter certainty that there is nothing but suffering—this is Knowledge of Function (Kicca Ñāṇa). The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha Sacca) is the nature of being relentlessly oppressed, without exception, by the cruel and vile craftsmanship of Craving (Taṇhā). In past lives, because of craving’s deeds, suffering resulted. It is through ignorance (avijjā) and craving (taṇhā) combined that suffering is brought about. Let us take visual consciousness as an example: Visual consciousness is that which is ceaselessly tormented by the cruel, vile oppression of Craving, the carpenter. Because it endures what craving has fashioned, it is the Truth of Suffering (Sankhatattho - the conditioned state). It endures what craving orchestrated in past lives. Whether wholesome-resultant eye-consciousness or unwholesome-resultant eye-consciousness arises as visual consciousness, it arises solely as orchestrated by craving and kamma. All that arises is merely the aggregates (khandhas), nothing other than the Truth of Suffering. Thus, this visual consciousness is simply the function (kicca) directed by craving. This visual consciousness, directed by craving, arises and passes away. Nothing of its own essence remains; it merely arises and ceases according to its nature, resulting in suffering. Therefore, enduring what craving orchestrates is the function (kicca) of visual consciousness. The wisdom (ñāṇa) that directly knows this function is insight. Combined, this is Knowledge of Function (Kicca Ñāṇa). Thus, whenever visual consciousness arises, to observe it with arising-and-passing-away awareness is precisely Knowledge of Function. It reveals its own function. Simply observe it with wisdom from here. Therefore, the function (kicca) is the Truth of Suffering (Dukkha Sacca), and the knowing (ñāṇa) is the Truth of the Path (Magga Sacca). This kind of insight seeds the future cessation of craving (Samudaya Sacca). When craving ceases, clinging ceases, kamma ceases, and birth, aging, and death cease. Thus, through Knowledge of Function alone, all Four Truths are fulfilled. When birth, aging, and death cease, what does not come is Cessation (Nirodha). Through Knowledge of Function alone, all Four Truths are accomplished. One knows the function of visual consciousness itself as the Truth of Suffering. The knowing wisdom is the arising of the Truth of the Path. The Truth of the Origin (Samudaya Sacca), having been seen as it should be, dies away. Subsequently, the Truth of Cessation (Nirodha Sacca) appears. This is Knowledge of Function: seeing one phenomenon completely, whereby all Four Truths arise simultaneously. Therefore, when one fully knows a single function, there is no need to declare, "The swamp of Origin is now dead!" Nor is there any need to beckon, "Come forth, Cessation!" Thus, it is paramount to unite the function and the knowing. Unite the function and the knowing. The death of the Origin is included within this. The arising of Cessation is also included within this. By doing this one thing, everything is accomplished. Even if one does not conceptually grasp it, the work of insight knows it. Everything is encompassed in the work. Arising and passing away is only the Truth of Suffering. Specifically, it is the Truth of Suffering as the oppressed. There exists the function of being oppressed. One endures oppression until it utterly disappears. One endures the oppression enacted by kamma; one endures the oppression enacted by craving. Its function is the function of being oppressed. In visual consciousness, there exists the function of being oppressed. The wisdom that knows this function is Knowledge of Function. When Knowledge of Function arises, craving does not need to be specifically rejected; the Truth of Origin is abandoned through the function of abandoning (Pahātabba Kicca). As craving ceases, the Truth of Cessation is also directly realized. Unite the function and the knowing. Once these two are united, the other two are automatically accomplished. Therefore, when observing auditory consciousness, observe it with Function-Knowing. When observing olfactory consciousness, observe it with Knowledge of Function. When mental states arise—consciousness of taste, itch, touch, pain, or greed, hatred, and delusion arising within—simply observe them all with Knowledge of Function. The Four Noble Truths can be fulfilled simultaneously. Venerable Dr. Ashin Parami