Difference between revisions of "Rūpa"
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| − | In [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]], rūpa (Devanagari: रूप; Thai: รูป) generally refers to material objects, particularly in regards to their appearance. | + | In [[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]], [[rūpa]] (Devanagari: रूप; Thai: รูป) generally refers to material objects, particularly in regards to their appearance. |
== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
| − | According to the {{Wiki|Monier-Williams}} Dictionary (2006), rūpa is defined as: | + | According to the {{Wiki|Monier-Williams}} Dictionary (2006), [[rūpa]] is defined as: |
* ... any outward appearance or [[Phenomenon]] or colour (often pl.) , [[Form]] , shape | * ... any outward appearance or [[Phenomenon]] or colour (often pl.) , [[Form]] , shape | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
== [[Buddhism]] == | == [[Buddhism]] == | ||
| − | In general, rūpa is the Buddhist concept of material [[Form]], including both the [[Body]] and external matter. | + | In general, [[rūpa]] is the [[Buddhist]] concept of material [[Form]], including both the [[Body]] and external matter. |
| − | More specifically, in the [[Pali Canon]], rūpa is contextualized in three significant frameworks: | + | More specifically, in the [[Pali Canon]], [[rūpa]] is contextualized in three significant frameworks: |
| − | * rūpa- | + | * [[rūpa-Khandha]] – "material forms," one of [[The five aggregates]] ([[Khandha]]) by which all [[Phenomena]] can be categorized . |
| − | * rūpa- | + | * [[rūpa-āyatana]] – "visible objects," the external [[sense]] [[objects]] of the [[Eye]], one of the six external sense bases ([[āyatana]]) by which the [[World]] is known |
| − | * [[Nāma]] | + | * [[Nāma-rūpa]] – "name and [[Form]]" or "[[Mind]] and [[Body]]," which in the causal chain of [[Dependent origination]] ([[paticca-samuppāda]]) arises from [[Consciousness]] and leads to the arising of the [[sense]] bases. |
| − | In addition, more generally, rūpa is used to describe a statue, in which it is sometimes called [[Buddharupa]]. | + | In addition, more generally, [[rūpa]] is used to describe a statue, in which it is sometimes called [[Buddharupa]]. |
| − | === Rūpa- | + | === [[Rūpa-Khandha]] === |
| − | Rūpa is not matter as in the [[metaphysical]] substance of {{Wiki|materialism}}. Instead it means means both materiality and {{Wiki|sensibility}} — signifying, for example, a tactile object both insofar as that object is made of matter and that the object can be tactilely sensed. In fact rūpa is more essentially defined by its amenability to being sensed than its being matter: just like everything else it is defined in terms of its function; what it does, not what it is. As matter, rūpa is traditionally analysed in two ways: as four primary elements ([[Pali]], [[Mahābhūta]]); and, as ten or twenty-four secondary or derived elements. | + | [[Rūpa]] is not matter as in the [[metaphysical]] substance of {{Wiki|materialism}}. Instead it means means both materiality and {{Wiki|sensibility}} — signifying, for example, a tactile object both insofar as that object is made of matter and that the [[object]] can be tactilely sensed. In fact [[rūpa]] is more essentially defined by its amenability to being sensed than its being matter: just like everything else it is defined in terms of its function; what it does, not what it is. As matter, [[rūpa]] is traditionally analysed in two ways: as four primary elements ([[Pali]], [[Mahābhūta]]); and, as ten or twenty-four secondary or derived elements. |
==== Four primary elements ==== | ==== Four primary elements ==== | ||
| − | Existing rūpa consists in the four primary or underived (no-upādā) elements: | + | Existing [[rūpa]] consists in the four primary or underived ([[no-upādā]]) elements: |
* [[Earth]] or solidity | * [[Earth]] or solidity | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
==== Derived matter ==== | ==== Derived matter ==== | ||
| − | In [[The Abhidhamma Pitaka]] and later [[Pali literature]], rūpa is further analyzed in terms of ten or twenty-three or twenty-four types of secondary or derived (upādā) matter. In the list of ten types of secondary matter, the following are identified: | + | In [[The Abhidhamma Pitaka]] and later [[Pali literature]], [[rūpa]] is further analyzed in terms of ten or twenty-three or twenty-four types of secondary or derived ([[upādā]]) [[matter]]. In the list of ten types of secondary [[matter]], the following are identified: |
* [[Eye]] | * [[Eye]] | ||
| − | * ear | + | * {{Wiki|ear}} |
| − | * nose | + | * {{Wiki|nose}} |
| − | * tongue | + | * {{Wiki|tongue}} |
* [[Body]] | * [[Body]] | ||
* [[Form]] | * [[Form]] | ||
* [[Sound]] | * [[Sound]] | ||
| − | * odour | + | * {{Wiki|odour}} |
| − | * taste | + | * {{Wiki|taste}} |
| − | * touch | + | * {{Wiki|touch}} |
If twenty-four secondary types are enumerated, then the following fifteen are added to the first nine of the above ten: | If twenty-four secondary types are enumerated, then the following fifteen are added to the first nine of the above ten: | ||
| − | * femininity | + | * {{Wiki|femininity}} |
| − | * [[Masculinity]] or virility | + | * [[Masculinity]] or {{Wiki|virility}} |
| − | * [[Life]] or vitality | + | * [[Life]] or {{Wiki|vitality}} |
* [[Heart]] or [[Heart]]-basis | * [[Heart]] or [[Heart]]-basis | ||
* physical indications (movements that indicate intentions) | * physical indications (movements that indicate intentions) | ||
| − | * vocal indications | + | * {{Wiki|vocal}} indications |
| − | * space element | + | * {{Wiki|space}} element |
* physical lightness or buoyancy | * physical lightness or buoyancy | ||
* physical yieldingness or plasticity | * physical yieldingness or plasticity | ||
| Line 70: | Line 70: | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Six Realms]] |
[[Category:Buddhist Philosophy]] | [[Category:Buddhist Philosophy]] | ||
[[Category:Pali terminology]] | [[Category:Pali terminology]] | ||
Revision as of 16:32, 28 July 2013
In Hinduism and Buddhism, rūpa (Devanagari: रूप; Thai: รูป) generally refers to material objects, particularly in regards to their appearance.
Definition
According to the Monier-Williams Dictionary (2006), rūpa is defined as:
- ... any outward appearance or Phenomenon or colour (often pl.) , Form , shape
- to assume a Form ; often ifc. = " having the Form or appearance or colour of " , " formed or composed of " , " consisting of " , " like to " ....
Buddhism
In general, rūpa is the Buddhist concept of material Form, including both the Body and external matter.
More specifically, in the Pali Canon, rūpa is contextualized in three significant frameworks:
- rūpa-Khandha – "material forms," one of The five aggregates (Khandha) by which all Phenomena can be categorized .
- rūpa-āyatana – "visible objects," the external sense objects of the Eye, one of the six external sense bases (āyatana) by which the World is known
- Nāma-rūpa – "name and Form" or "Mind and Body," which in the causal chain of Dependent origination (paticca-samuppāda) arises from Consciousness and leads to the arising of the sense bases.
In addition, more generally, rūpa is used to describe a statue, in which it is sometimes called Buddharupa.
Rūpa-Khandha
Rūpa is not matter as in the metaphysical substance of materialism. Instead it means means both materiality and sensibility — signifying, for example, a tactile object both insofar as that object is made of matter and that the object can be tactilely sensed. In fact rūpa is more essentially defined by its amenability to being sensed than its being matter: just like everything else it is defined in terms of its function; what it does, not what it is. As matter, rūpa is traditionally analysed in two ways: as four primary elements (Pali, Mahābhūta); and, as ten or twenty-four secondary or derived elements.
Four primary elements
Existing rūpa consists in the four primary or underived (no-upādā) elements:
Derived matter
In The Abhidhamma Pitaka and later Pali literature, rūpa is further analyzed in terms of ten or twenty-three or twenty-four types of secondary or derived (upādā) matter. In the list of ten types of secondary matter, the following are identified:
If twenty-four secondary types are enumerated, then the following fifteen are added to the first nine of the above ten:
- femininity
- Masculinity or virility
- Life or vitality
- Heart or Heart-basis
- physical indications (movements that indicate intentions)
- vocal indications
- space element
- physical lightness or buoyancy
- physical yieldingness or plasticity
- physical handiness or wieldiness
- physical grouping or integration
- physical extension or maintenance
- physical aging or decay
- physical Impermanence
- Food
A list of 23 derived types can be found, for instance, in The Abhidhamma Pitaka's Dhammasangani (e.g., Dhs. 596), which omits the list of 24 derived types' "Heart-basis."
