<p>You should view this more in terms of psychic abilities (Abhijñā) and Jhana. Though astral projrction is not explicitly referenced as a ability. There are instances where you can have multiple copies of your self in different places. </p>

<p>What you can achieve through Jhana is unthinkable. Also our minds will be going to Jhana like state in near death or sometimes during other experiences, which bring out certain abilities. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-29T16:01:25.917Z
Trying to bring my perspective on this though.
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-29T15:43:42.953Z
2014-09-29T15:43:42.953Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>Why it does not adhere to Buddhism? It does! In all the cases of astral body projection, they were able to see things. What is seeing? Seeing is the union of the light, the eye and the eye consciousness. They had thoughts about what they were seeing and they were aware of what they were seeing. In other words <a href="http://www.beyondthenet.net/dhamma/fiveAggregates.htm" rel="nofollow">Rupa, Vedana, Sanna, Sankhara, Vinnana</a>. Which means both Nama and Rupa were present. Astral projection does not mean that the mind wanders out without a body. There is a subtle body that goes with the mind. One can't have sensations, if there are no sense doors. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namarupa" rel="nofollow">Nama</a> cannot be without <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namarupa" rel="nofollow">Rupa</a> except in Arupa realms. That's why beings in the Arupa realms can't see, hear, taste, smell, feel anything. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-29T17:51:31.843Z
I agree that consciousness (Vijñāna) is wandering here. But wasn't aware that a subtle body is also involved.
dmsp
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2014-09-29T18:22:23.313Z
Nama cannot be without Rupa except in Arupa realms.
Sankha Kulathantille
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2014-09-29T16:51:03.520Z
2014-09-29T18:34:56.837Z
2014-09-29T18:34:56.837Z
Sankha Kulathantille
<p>Wikipedia defines <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out-of-body_experience" rel="nofollow">this</a> as,</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>An out-of-body experience (OBE or sometimes OOBE) is an experience
  that typically involves a sensation of floating outside one's body
  and, in some cases, perceiving one's physical body from a place
  outside one's body.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>There are numerous studies on people having this type of experience, and I remember Ven. Yuttadhammo once said he also experienced this when he was young.</p>

<p>I think interpretations like astral body projection do not quite adhere with Buddhism.<br>
Are there possible explanations on this from the Buddhist perspective with regards to Five Aggregates?</p>

<philosophy><modern-world>
Buddhist view on out of body experience (OBE)
# Buddhist view on out of body experience (OBE)

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-09-29)

Wikipedia defines [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out-of-body_experience) as,

> An out-of-body experience (OBE or sometimes OOBE) is an experience
> that typically involves a sensation of floating outside one's body
> and, in some cases, perceiving one's physical body from a place
> outside one's body.

There are numerous studies on people having this type of experience, and I remember Ven. Yuttadhammo once said he also experienced this when he was young.

I think interpretations like astral body projection do not quite adhere with Buddhism.  
Are there possible explanations on this from the Buddhist perspective with regards to Five Aggregates?

**Tags:** philosophy, modern-world


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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2014-09-29. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Why it does not adhere to Buddhism? It does! In all the cases of astral body projection, they were able to see things. What is seeing? Seeing is the union of the light, the eye and the eye consciousness. They had thoughts about what they were seeing and they were aware of what they were seeing. In other words [Rupa, Vedana, Sanna, Sankhara, Vinnana](http://www.beyondthenet.net/dhamma/fiveAggregates.htm). Which means both Nama and Rupa were present. Astral projection does not mean that the mind wanders out without a body. There is a subtle body that goes with the mind. One can't have sensations, if there are no sense doors. [Nama](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namarupa) cannot be without [Rupa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namarupa) except in Arupa realms. That's why beings in the Arupa realms can't see, hear, taste, smell, feel anything.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I agree that consciousness (Vijñāna) is wandering here. But wasn't aware that a subtle body is also involved.  
> **username_2**: Nama cannot be without Rupa except in Arupa realms.  

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### Answer by username_1 on 2014-09-29. Score: 2

You should view this more in terms of psychic abilities (Abhijñā) and Jhana. Though astral projrction is not explicitly referenced as a ability. There are instances where you can have multiple copies of your self in different places.

What you can achieve through Jhana is unthinkable. Also our minds will be going to Jhana like state in near death or sometimes during other experiences, which bring out certain abilities.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Trying to bring my perspective on this though.  

---

