Development of Material Concept in the Theravāda Tradition

Abstract

According to the teachings of Theravāda Buddhism, a human being is explained conceptually as ‘material and mind,’ of which the characteristics are anicca (impermanence), dukkha (suffering) and anattā (non-self). These two concepts can be investigated through a systematic analysis of pañcakkhandhā (the five aggregates): citta, cetasikā, rūpa, nibbāna. In this basic doctrinal structure, Theravāda Buddhism, especially the Abhidhamma tradition has established a detailed conception of mind. Although material (rūpa), one of the pañcakkhandhā, is also critically examined in great depth in the Pali literature, it has not been considered as thoroughly as mind (citta, cetasikā). This paper concerns the concept of rūpa, as presented in some of the Nikāyas, as well as the Visuddhimagga and Abhidhammattha Sangaha, and endeavors to show that the analysis of rūpa is another way to penetrate the three characteristics of paramattha dhamma.