Saṃjñā (Sanskrit; Pali: sañña) is a Buddhist term that is typically translated as "perception" or "cognition."
Although Samjñā means the five aggregates in Buddhism, in Hinduism, it refers to art traditions and in Jainism, it points to recognition distinct from cognition.
[5] The Atthasālinī (I, Part IV, Chapter 1, 110) provides the following two definitions for saññā: The Abhidharma-samuccaya states: Mipham Rinpoche states: Alexander Berzin gives the following informal explanation: Saṃjñā is identified as one of the Five Aggregates, as shown in the following diagram In the early Buddhism Theravadin texts of the Nikayas/Āgamas, saṃjñā/sañña is the third of the Five Aggregates (Skt.
: skandha; Pali: khandha) which can be used to skillfully delineate phenomenological experiences during meditation.
[7] Whether as one of the Five Aggregates, meditative concentration (samādhi) on the passing and rising (P. vipassana, S. vipaśyanā) of sañña can lead to mindfulness (P.sati, S. smṛti), clear comprehension (P. sampajanna, S. samprajaña) enlightenment and Arhantship (see Table).