In the Bahudhàtuka Sutta (MN 115), the Buddha explains that
there are actually eighteen physical and mental elements. These
are six triads of elements where each triad is composed of a
sense object (the external sense bases), a sense organ (the
internal sense bases), and the six related sense-consciousnesses
(viññāṇa): 1. There is the element of the eyes as a visual organ
2. The form element as an objective visual 3. Eye-consciousness
as the cognizance of the form perceived by the eyes 4. The ear
element, or the ears as auditory organs 5. The element of sounds
or audible objects 6. Ear-consciousness as the cognizance of the
sounds perceived by the ears 7. The nose element as the
olfactory organ 8. The element of aromas, scents, odors,
fragrances, etc. 9. The nose-consciousness as the cognizance of
the oflactive objects sensed by the nose 10. The tongue element
as the gustatory organ 11. The elements of tastes, flavors, etc.
12. The tongue-consciousness as the cognizance of gustation
sensed by the tongue 13. T