Saḷāyatana — Six Sense Bases
In Pali, saḷāyatana** means “six sense bases”:
→ eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind.
These are not just organs — they’re the **doors through which the world enters**. Without them, no experience is possible.
Role in dependent origination
Saḷāyatana is the fifth link:
nāmarūpa → saḷāyatana → phassa…
“With mind-and-body as condition, the six sense bases arise…”
— Saṃyutta Nikāya 12.1
Practical meaning
Every time you:
→ scroll social media (eye + screen),
→ listen to music (ear + sound),
→ think about the future (mind + idea),
…you’re using saḷāyatana.
The danger? Getting lost in the input.
The skill? Staying aware at the door — not swept away.