> also, on p. 388, on the section of consciousness:
> "what does it cognize? It cognizes 'this is pleasant';
> it cognizes: 'this is painful'; it cognizes: 'this is
> neither painful nor pleasant'
>

There is also another definition in the Samyutta Nikaya (S XXII.79):
"And why do you call it 'consciousness'? Because it cognizes, thus it is
called consciousness. What does it cognize? It cognizes what is sour,
bitter, pungent, sweet, alkaline, non-alkaline, salty, & unsalty. Because it
cognizes, it is called consciousness."

> commnent:
> Seems like the sutta is implying the primary function
> of vinnana is to differentiate the 3 types of feeling,
> rather than just a bare awareness of the 6 types of
> external media coming into contact with the 6 internal
> sense organs.
>

Somehow I get the impression that the meaning of vi~n~naa.na seems to be
closer to what it literally means: vi + j~naa = knowing apart (or
apart-knowledge).

Lars