what are the 5 skandhas?

Context: Skandhas or khandhas means "heaps, aggregates, collections, groupings". In Buddhism, it refers to the five aggregates of clinging, the five material and mental factors that take part in the rise of craving and clinging. They are also explained as the five factors that constitute and explain a sentient being’s person and personality, but this is a later interpretation in response to sarvastivadin essentialism.

The five aggregates or heaps of clinging are:

1. form 
2. sensations 
3. perceptions 
4. mental activity or formations 
5. consciousness.

Answer: The five skhandas are form, sensations, perceptions, mental activity and consciousness