1. Enumeration (samuddesa)2. Classification (vibhàga)
3. Origination (samuññhàna)4. Groups (kalàpa)
5. Modes of occurrence (pavattikkama)
Compendium of MatterRúpasangahavibhåga
What is Rúpa Variously
translated as form, matter (&
energy), corporeality, Materiality
Ultimately shapeless, formless and massless
råpa and nàma are interdependent.
Råpa is that which changes
(form, color, state), breaks up or
perishes owing to external conditions eg physical (heat/cold etc) and biological (insect, animals, microbes etc)
What is Rúpa Råpa is incessantly produced from four
causes:o kamma, o citta, o utu (heat) and o àhàra (nutriment).
Råpa lasts for only 17 mind moments, then it perishes
A form or shape or mass appears to be present when a lot of råpa has accumulated eg sun or planet or mountain
28 types of rúpas Mahåbhuta (4 Great elements) and
Upåda-rúpas (24 Derivatives) Nipphanarúpas (18 concretely
produced matter) and anipphanarúpas (10 non-concretely produced)
1. Rúpa-samuddesa: Enumeration
Rúpa-samuddesa: Enumeration
28 types of råpa in two-fold categorisation as follows:
I. Mahàbhuta (4) – 4 Great Essentials Pañhavi (earth), àpo (water), tejo (fire), and
vàyo (air or wind); Possess own intrinsic natures, thus called
‘elements’ More prominent than the derivatives Huge masses (eg planet) result from
accumulation of these four elements II. Upàdàya-råpa (24) – 24 Derivatives
Derived from or dependent on the mahàbhutaMahàbhuta maybe compared to earth, while the
derivatives may be compared to trees growing in dependence on the earth
Rúpa: Enumeration28 råpas over 11 classes by twofold
classificationI. Nipphanaråpa (concretely produced
matter) (18) Possess intrinsic natures, suitable as
objects of meditation 18 types of råpas distributed over 7
classesII. Anipphanaråpa (non-concretely
produced matter) (10) 10 types of råpa which are more
abstract in nature, distributed over 4 classes
NIPPHANARæPAs (18)•Mahàbhuta (4)(Great
Essentials)• Upàdà-råpas (14)
(Derivatives)
I. Mahàbhuta (4) – Great Essentials
Pañhavi (Earth element)
Element of extension (three-dimensional)
Characteristic mode of experience: hardness/softness (relative)
Serves as support or nucleus for the other co-existing råpas
âpo (water element) Element of cohesion Characteristic mode
of experience: cohesiveness; fluidity
Serves to bind and hold the different particles of matter
I. Mahàbhuta (4) – Great Essentials
Tejo (Fire element) Element of heat or
heat energy Characteristic mode
of experience: hotness/coldness; vivacity; maturity
Serves to mature or ripen other co-existing råpas
Vàyo (wind element) Element of motion or
kinetic energy; pressure
Characteristic mode of experience: distension and pressure - pushing and supporting
Cause motion or oscillation to other råpas
I. Mahàbhuta (4) – Great Essentials Fundamental material elements that exist
together and are inseparable The four essentials are
supported by the earth element, held together by the water element, maintained by the fire element, and distended by the wind element.
Every material substance on earth is made up of these four great elements.
Ultimately formless & shapeless; as meditation objects: meditate on their
properties eg hardness/softness; cohesion/fluidity; hot/cold; pushing & balancing
Upàdà-råpas (Derivatives) Nipphanaråpas
II. Pasàda-råpas (Sensitive Material Qualities)(5)
• Sensitive parts of the five sense organs – eyes, ears, nose, tongue, & body
• Physical base and door for the five sense consciousness
• Receive impressions of the sense objects
II. Pasàda-råpas (5)(Sensitive Material Qualities)
1. Cakkhu-pasàda– Sensitive part of the eye; registers form & color– spreads in 7 layers in the pupil of the eye where
images appear.2. Sota-pasàda
– Sensitive part of the ear, registers sound;– spreads in the place shaped like a ring inside the
ear-holes.3. Ghàna-pasàda
– Sensitive part of the nose, registers smells;– spreads in the place shaped like the leg of a goat
inside the nostrils.
II. Pasàda-råpas (5)(Sensitive Material Qualities)
4. Jivhà-pasàda– Sensitive part of the tongue; registers tastes– spreads in the middle upper surface of the
tongue.
5. Kàya-pasàda– Sensitive part of the body; registers tactile
sensation– spreads throughout the whole body sensitive to
touch, – Exclude dead cells like head-hair, body-hair,
finger-nails and hard dried skin.
III. Gocara-råpas (Material Qualities of Sense Objects) (7)• Five sense objects
frequented by pa¤cavi¤¤àõa (five sense consciousness.• Impinge on sense basesUpàdà-råpas (Derivatives)
Nipphanaråpas (18)
III. Gocara-råpas (7= 4+3) (Material Qualities of Sense
Objects)1. Råpàrammaõa – visible form (vaõõa)2. Saddàrammaõa – sound (sadda)3. Gandhàrammaõa – smell (gandha)4. Rasàrammaõa – taste (rasa)5-7. Photthabbàrammaõa – tangible object
(pathavã, tejo, vàyo) ** (àpo or cohesion cannot be felt by the sense of touch.)
Upàdà-råpas (Derivatives)
IV. Bhàva-råpas (Material Qualities of Sex) (2)
1. Itthi-bhàva– material quality that
imparts femininity;– it spreads all over the
body of the female.2. Purisa-bhàva
– material quality that imparts masculinity;
– it spreads all over the body of the male.
V. Hadaya-vatthu (Heart Base)
• spreads in the blood inside the heart.
• the seat of consciousness (mano-vi¤¤àõa).
• billions of hadaya-vatthu spreads in the blood of the heart.
Upàdà-råpas (Derivatives)
VI. Jãvita-råpa (Material Quality of Life)
• jãvitindriya-råpa—vital force of kammaja-råpa which spreads throughout the body.
• Material counterpart of mental life faculty
• Regarded as physical life
VII. âhàra-råpa/Ojà (Material Quality of Nutrition)
• The gross food which is taken in by making into morsels = kabalãkàràhàra.
• àhàra-råpa = the nutritive essence (ojà) which sustains the body.
Nipphanarúpas (18) - Summary4 great essentials, 5 pasàda-råpas,7 gocara-råpas (to
be counted as 4 excluding tangibility),
2 bhàvaråpas,hadaya-vatthu,jãvita-råpa andàhàra-råpa
Nipphanaråpas: caused and conditioned by kamma, citta, utu (tejo) and àhàra (ojà)
sabhàva-råpas: Each has innate properties such as hardness for pathavã and heat for tejo.
Nipphanarúpas (18) - Summary
sa-lakkhaõa-råpas: Each has the three saïkhàta-lakkhaõas (innate signs): - jàti (birth), jarà (decay), and aniccatà
(impermanence) suffering, non-
self
Råparåpa: change in state, form and colour, etc., due to heat and cold, etc
sammasana-råpa: objects of insight meditation, contemplating anicca dukkha and anatta
ANIPPHANARæPAs (10)• Upàdà-råpas (10)
(Derivatives)
Anipphanarūpa (non-concrete Matter)VIII. Pariccheda-
råpa/âkàsa-dhàtu(Material Quality of
Limitation – space element)
• inter-atomic (particle) or intra-atomic space that limits or separates material groups (råpa-kalàpas); gaps or apertures;
• Boundaries of matter• Dhàtu in the sense of
non-entity
IX. Vi¤¤atti-råpas (2) (Material Qualities of Communication (last for one citta moment)
- ‘Body and verbal language’ communicating ideas, feelings. attitudes
1. Kàya-vi¤¤atti – bodily action by hand, head, eye, leg, etc., to let others understand one’s intentions. (cittaja vayo)
2. Vacã-vi¤¤atti – movement of the mouth to produce speech to let others understand one’s intentions. (cittaja earth)
X. Vikàra-råpas (5= 3+2)(Material Qualities of Mutability)
1. Råpassa-lahutà – physical lightness or buoyancy;
• suppresses or dispels the heaviness or sluggishness of the body.
• transformability2. Råpassa-mudutà –
physical elasticity; • removes stiffness or
rigidity in the body and is comparable to a well-beaten hide.
3. Råpassa-kamma¤¤atà – physical adaptability;
• opposed to the stiffness or unwieldiness of the body, and is comparable to well-hammered gold.
• Non-weakness4 & 5. Vi¤¤atti-råpas (2)• Bodily intimation• Verbal intimation
XI. Lakkhaõa-råpas (4)(Material Qualities of
Characteristics)three characteristics of
råpa and nàma:• arising (uppàda),• existing (thãti) and• dissolving (bhaïga).Lakkhaõa-råpas are
råpas denoting those instances:
1. Upacàya-råpa – arising of råpa at the moment of conception, and continued arising of råpa till the required råpas in life are completely formed
2. Santati-råpa – subsequent arising of råpas throughout the life-term.
(Upacàya and santati sometimes treated as jàti or birth = ‘uppàda’).
3. Jaratà-råpa – råpa denoting development and decay during the existing period of 15 conscious moments (‘thãti’)
4. Aniccatà-råpa – råpa denoting dissolution at the dissolving moment of real råpa. (‘bhaïga’ instant)
Anipphanarúpas (10)- Summary
pariccheda-råpa (inter-atomic space),
2 vi¤¤atti-råpas (intimations),
3(+2 above) vikàraråpas (mutability)
4 lakkhaõa-råpas (arising; subsequent arising; developing& decaying; dissolving)
anipphanna-råpas: not caused &
conditioned by 4 causess – kamma,citta, utu and àhàra
not paramattha dhammas - only modalities or attributes of nipphanaråpas
Anipphanarúpas (10)- Summary
asabhàva-råpas = do not have innate properties,
asalakkhaõa-råpas = do not have saïkhàta-lakkhaõas (anicca, dukkha, anatta),
aråparåpa = not changeable by heat or cold, etc.,
asammasana-råpa = not contemplated in insight meditation.
Summary on Enumeration of Rúpa
28 types of råpas enumerated by their specific properties as:
Twofold into the 4 great essentials (mahàbhuta) + 24 derivatives (upàda-råpas)
placed into 11 classes in twofold enumeration into Nipphanaråpas (18) and Anipphanaråpas (10) Nipphanaråpas (18)= mahàbhuta (4), pasàda
råpas (5), gocara råpas (4+3), bhàvaråpas (2), hadaya-vatthu, jãvita-råpa and àhàra-råpa
Anipphanaråpas (10)= pariccheda-råpa, vi¤¤atti-råpas (2), vikàraråpas (3+2), lakkhaõa-råpas (4)
1. Singlefold2. Manifold
2. Rúpavibhåga (Criticism/Classification)
Rúpavibhåga: SinglefoldAll råpas are just one in the following eight aspects:1. Ahetuka – all are rootless;2. Sappaccaya – all are related to the causes
(kamma, citta, utu, and àhàra);3. Sàsava – all serve as objects for defilements;4. Saïkhàta – all are conditioned by the four
causes;5. Lokiya – all are connected with the world of five
aggregates of attachment;6. Kàmàvacara – all come within the range of sense
objects;7. Anàrammaõa – all do not perceive objects;8. Appahàtabba – all are not eliminated by Maggas.
Rúpavibhåga: Manifold
1. Ajjhattika-råpa The five pasàda-råpas
are called ajjhattika (internal), the remaining 23 råpas are called bàhira (external),
Valued, essential for sensing (seeing, hearing, etc)
Serve as doors for mental phenomena – channel through which nàma access object
2. Vatthu-råpa (bases) The five pasàda-
råpas together + hadaya-vatthu are vatthu-råpa; the rest are called avatthu-råpa.
They act as seats of consciousness
Physical support for the occurrence of nàma
manifold when distinguished as bases, internal, external, doors, etc
Rúpavibhåga: Manifold3. Dvàra-råpa (doors) (7)• five pasàda-råpas + two vi¤¤atti-råpas = dvàra-
råpas while the rest are called advàraråpas.• The five pasàda-råpas serve as doors which give
rise to pa¤ca-dvàra-vãthis • two vi¤¤atti-råpas are the places and the means
for performing bodily actions (kàya-kamma) and verbal actions (vacã-kamma).
4. Indriya-råpa (Faculties) (8)• five pasàda-råpas + two bhàva-råpas +
jãvitaråpa = eight indriya-råpas• remaining 20 råpas are termed anindriya-råpas.
Rúpavibhåga: Manifold5. Olàrika-råpa (12) (gross material phenomena)• five pasàda-råpas + seven gocara-råpas = 12 =
related to genesis of consciousness; termed aso olàrika-råpas (gross or coarse in the sense of easily
seen or understood; instrumental in genesis of mental phenomena)
o santike-råpas (close to wisdom-mind)o Sappañigharåpas (sense objects and sense organs
strike one another, impinging)• remaining 16 råpas are termed (not directly related to
genesis of consciousness)o sukhuma-råpas (fine or subtle)o dåre-råpas (dåre – far) (far from wisdom-mind)o Appañigharåpas (non-impinging)
Rúpavibhåga: Manifold6. Upàdinna-råpa (18
kammaja-råpas) (clung-to)
• upàdinna-råpas1– 8 kammaja-råpas,
råpas produced by kammas as the fruits (resultants) of kamma motivated by craving (taõhà) and wrong view (diññhi)
– organic råpas • the rest are
anupàdinna-råpas.
7. Sanidassana-råpa (can be seen by the eyes)
• Råpàrammaõa (vaõõa) is called sanidassana-råpa, because it can be seen by the eye.
• remaining råpas are called anidassana-råpas as they cannot be seen by the eye.
Rúpavibhåga: Manifold8. Gocaraggàhika-råpa (bases and support for sense
consciousness) (5)• five pasàda råpas can take external sense-objects as
sense bases and support for the respective consciousness = gocaraggàhika-råpas
• cakkhu-pasàda and sota-pasàda = asampatta-gàhika: objects can be cognised without their coming into direct contact with the sense organs (’see a flower’ or ‘hear a man talk’ without either coming into direct contact with the eyes or ears; cf. taste, smell, touch – direct contact with sense organs required)
• The rest are called agocaraggàhika-råpas.
Rúpavibhåga: manifold9. Avinibbhoga-råpa (8 Inseparables)• eight råpas comprising pathavã, àpo, tejo, vàyo,
vaõõa (visible form), gandhà (smell), rasa (taste), and ojà (nutritive essence) are bound together and are inseparable and indivisible = avinibbhoga-råpas
• the rest are called vinibbhoga-råpas.• Avinibbhoga-råpas are produced together in nature as
kalàpas (material groups) (smallest indivisible fundamental units of matter)
• Avinibbhoga-råpas are present in all material objects from the simplest to the most complex
• Kalàpa consisting of purely these 8 elements = ‘pure octad’ (suddhaññhaka) or ojaññhaka
There are four causes or modes of origin of råpa:
1. Kamma (cetanà or volition), 2. Citta (consciousness),
3. utu (heat) & 4. Àhàra (nutritive essence).
3. Råpa-samuññhàna (The Causes or Origination of Material Phenomena)
Kammaja-rúpa: Material Phenomena arising from Kamma
• Kamma= cetanà of past akusala and kusala cittas
• 25 types of kamma produce råpa:= 12 akusala cetanà + 8 kàmàvacarà-kusala
cetanà + 5 råpàvacara-kusala cetanà.• These moral and immoral kamma produce råpas
in the kàma-sphere and the råpa-sphere at every submoment (arising, existing and decaying submoments of each citta), starting from the arising submoment (instant) of rebirth consciousness till death (the decaying moment of cuti citta).
• aråpàvacara kamma do not produce råpas.
Cittaja-rúpa: Material Phenomena arising from Citta
• Four Aråpa vipàka cittas and the 10 dvipa¤cavi¤¤àõa cittas do not produce råpa
• The rest (89-14=),75 types of citta produce råpa
• All pañisandhi-cittas (rebirth-linking) and the cuti citta (death-consciousness) of arahats also do not produce råpa.
• The 75 cittas produce cittaja råpas at every arising instant of the respective cittas, starting from arising submoment of the first bhavaïga-citta until the arising submoment of the cuti citta
Cittaja-rúpa: Javana & Other Cittas • 26 appanà-javana cittas
o produce cittaja-råpa and also support the four bodily postures – viz., standing, sitting, lying and walking.
• 32 cittas comprising mano-dvàràvajjana, 29 kàmàvacara javanas and 2 abhi¤¤às (supernormal knowledge):o produce cittaja-råpa, support the bodily
postures and also produce two vi¤¤atti-råpas for bodily and vocal intimations.
o 13 somanassa javanas also produce smiles and laughters
Cittaja-rúpa: Javana & Other Cittas • Of the 32 cittas mentioned before:
o 2 domanassa javanas (2 dosa-måla) cittas produce moaning and weeping.
o Hasituppàda and 4 somanassa-mahà-kiriya cittas produce smiles in Buddhas and arahats.
o 2 lobhamåla-diññhigata-vipayutta-somanassa cittas & 4 somanassa-mahà-kusala cittas produce smiles & laughters in sekha-persons i.e., sotàpannas, sakadàgàmãs and anàgàmãs.
o Four lobhamåla-somanassa cittas and 4 somanassa mahà-kusala cittas produce smiles and laughters in puthujjanas (worldlings).
Cittaja-rúpa: Other Cittas
• Three mano-dhàtus (pa¤cadvàràvajjana citta and 2 sampañicchana cittas), 11 tadàlambaõas and 5 råpàvacara vipàka cittas (totaling 19) produce only ordinary cittajaråpa.
Utuja-rúpa: Material Phenomena Arising from Heat/Cold (Temperature)
o Tejo, fire element is present in all råpa-kalàpas• Tejo produces utuja-råpas on reaching its static
(existing) stage and continues producing utuja-råpas at every small instant both internally and externally.
• Internal tejo in kammaja-råpa formed at patisandhi combines with external fire element to produce utuja-råpa (organic); thereafter tejo in råpas born of all 4 causes continue to produce utuja råpas (organic)throughout the course of existence
• Externally tejo produces inorganic råpas – climatic and geological transformations
Åhåraja-rúpa: Material Phenomena Arising from Åhåra (nutriment)
• nutritive essence, ojà, is present in all råpa-kalàpas both inside the body (internal) and outside the body (external – external food).
• internal ojà and the external ojà (food consumed) meet in every part of the body, moment of meeting = arising instant (uppàda).
• internal and external ojàs start producing àhàraja-råpas at the static instant (thãti) and goes on producing them at every small instant until the combination terminates.
Analyses of Råpa by Cause or Origins1. Ekaja-råpa – råpa produced by a single cause2. Dvija-råpa – råpa produced by two cause3. Tija-råpa – råpa produced by three causes4. Catuja-råpa – råpa produced by four causes5. Anekaja-råpa – råpa produced by more than one
cause or by many causes
four lakkhaõa-råpas are not produced by any cause – denote arising, subsequent arising, developing & decay., and dissolving of real råpas
Ekaja-rúpa (Single Cause) (11)• Råpas produced by kamma alone (9):
– Five pasàda-råpas, – two bhàva-råpas, – hadaya-vatthu and– jãvita-råpa.
• produced by citta alone (2):– Two vi¤¤atti-råpas
• Total ekaja-råpas = 11
Dvija-rúpa (Two Causes) (1)• Sadda (sound) is the only dvija-råpa -
produced by citta and utu.• Cittaja sadda: all vocal sounds such as
speech, laughter, whistling, crying etc.• Utuja sadda: non-vocal sounds such as
thunder, recorded sound (from cassette, radio etc), vehicle noises etc
Tija-rúpa (Three Causes) (3)three tija-råpas – produced by citta, utu and
àhàra: lahutadi-råpaso råpassa-lahutà (physical lightness or
buoyancy) o Råpassamudutà (malleability or elasticity)o råpassa-kamma¤¤atà (physical
adaptability or wieldiness) • Experienced when we feel pleasant eg mind
is relaxed and clear; environment is comfortable; food is good or nutritious
Catuja-rúpa (Four Causes) (9)Nine catuja-råpas – produced by kamma, citta,
utu and àhàra:o Eight avinibbhoga råpas comprising
pathavã, àpo, tejo, vàyo, vaõõa, gandhà, rasa and ojà
o àkàsa-dhàtu which arises when material groups (kalàpas) of avinibbhoga-råpas are formed.
Råpas by Types of Causes or Origins - Summary
Kammaja-råpas (18)9 kammaja-ekaja råpas: 8 faculties (5 sensitivities + two sex
faculties+ life faculty) + heart base9 kammaja-anekaja råpas (8 inseparables + space)Produced at every submoment (arising, static or existing,
dissolving).
Cittaja-råpas (15)2 cittaja-ekaja-råpas: 2 vi¤¤atti-råpas (intimations)13 cittaja-anekaja råpas (= 9 catuja-råpas + 1 sadda + 3
tija-råpas): 8 inseparables + sound + lightness triad + spaceProduced at every arising submoment of the citta
Råpas by Types of Causes or Origins - Summary
Utuja-råpas (13)13 utuja-anekaja råpas: 8 inseparables + sound + space +
lightness triad.Starts producing at static submoment and continues
producing at every submoment (arising, static or existing, dissolving).
âhàraja-råpas (àhàraja-anekaja råpas) (12)8 avinibbhoga råpa + 3 tija-råpas = 8 inseparables +
lightness triad + space.Starts producing at static submoment and continues
producing at every submoment (arising, static or existing, dissolving)
Råpas by Number of Causes - Summary
1. Ekaja – one cause (11=9 kammaja+2cittaja): 8 faculties+ heart base + 2 intimations
2. Dvija – two causes (1): sound (cittaja & utuja)
3. Tija – three causes (3): lightness triad (cittaja, utuja and āhāraja)
4. Catuja – four causes (9): 8 inseparables + space (kammaja, cittaja, utuja and āhāraja)
5. Lakkhaõas - Characteristics (causeless) (4): arising, existing, decay, impermanence
28 types of råpa do not occur singly, not found separately in nature.
They are produced by the four causes in the form of tiny material groups called kalàpas.
There are 21 material groups in having the same four features – arise, occur and perish together, have a common base.
4. Grouping of Material Qualities (kalàpayojana)
Rúpa-Kalåpa (Material Groups)Kalàpas share the following four features:1. All the råpas in a kalàpa arise together, i.e.
they have a common genesis.2. They also cease or dissolve together, i.e.
they have a common cessation.3. They all depend on the four great essentials
present in the kalàpa for their arising, i.e. they have a common dependence or base.
4. They are so thoroughly mixed that they cannot be distinguished, i.e. they co-exist.
Rúpa-Kalåpa (Material Groups)Size of a Kalàpa = 10-5th of a paramàõu,
invisible, indivisibleTotal of 21 Kalàpas (material groups):• 9 kammaja kalàpas + • 6 cittaja kalàpas + • 4 utuja kalàpas + • 2 àhàraja kalàpas.
Kammaja-Kalåpa (9)Nine kammaja Kalàpas are formed from the
18 kammaja-råpas:1. jãvita nonad = 8 avinibbhoga råpas (nucleus) +
jãvita-råpa = jãvita-navaka-kalàpa (group of 9 råpas including jãvita’ = simplest kammaja kalàpa.
2. Cakkhu-dasaka (eye-decad)= 8 avinibbhoga-råpas + jãvitaråpa + cakkhu-pasàda
3. Sota-dasaka (ear-decad) = 8 avinibbhoga-råpas + jãvita-råpa + sota-pasàda
4. Ghàna-dasaka (nose-decad) = 8 avinibbhoga-råpas + jãvitaråpa + ghàna-pasàda
Kammaja-Kalåpa (9)5. jivhà-dasaka (tongue-decad) = 8 avinibbhoga-
råpas + jãvita-råpa + jivhà-pasàda6. Kàya-dasaka (body-decad) = 8 avinibbhoga-råpas
+ jãvita-råpa + kàya-pasàda7. Itthibhàva-dasaka (female-decad)= 8
avinibbhoga-råpas + jãvita-råpa + itthibhàva-råpa8. Pumbhàva-dasaka (male-decad) = 8 avinibbhoga-
råpas + jãvita-råpa + pumbhàva-råpa (purisabhàva)
9. Hadaya-dasaka (heart-decad) = 8 avinibbhoga-råpas + jãvita-råpa + hadaya-vatthu
Cittaja-Kalåpa (6)formed from 14 cittaja-råpas (excluding
pariccheda-råpa):1. Cittaja-suddhaññhaka (pure octad) = 8
avinibbhoga-råpas produced by citta2. Kàyavi¤¤atti-navaka (bodily intimation nonad)
= 8 avinibbhoga-råpas + kàyavi¤¤atti 3. Vacivi¤¤atti-sadda-dasaka (vocal intimation
decad) = 8 avinibbhoga + vacivi¤¤atti + sadda (sound)
Cittaja-Kalåpa (6)4. Lahutàdi-ekàdasaka (undecad of mutability) =
8 avinibbhogas + lahutà + mudutà + kamma¤¤atà
5. Kàyavi¤¤atti-lahutàdi dvàdasaka (dodecad of bodily intimation & mutability) = 8 avinibbhoga + kàyavi¤¤atti + lahutàdi-triad råpas
6. Vacivi¤¤atti-sadda-lahutàdi-terasaka (tridecad of vocal intimation, sound & mutability) = 8 avinibbhogas + vacivi¤¤atti + 3 lahutàdi-råpas + sadda
Utuja-Kalåpa (4)formed from 12 utuja-råpas (excluding pariccheda-
råpa):1. Utuja-suddhaññhaka (pure octad) = 8
avinibbhoga-råpas produced by utu2. Sadda-navaka(sound-decad) = 8 avinibbhoga-
råpas + sadda3. Lahutàdi-ekàdasaka(undecad of mutability) = 8
avinibbhogas + 3 lahutàdi-råpas4. Sadda-lahutàdi-dvàdasaka (dodecad of sound
and mutability) = 8 avinibbhogas + sadda + 3 lahutàdi-råpas
Åhåraja-Kalåpa (2)formed by grouping together the 8 avinibbhoga-
råpas and the 3 lahutàdi-råpas produced by àhàra.
1. âhàraja-suddhaññhaka(pure octad) = 8 avinibbhoga-råpas produced by àhàra
2. Lahutàdi-ekàdasaka(undecad of mutability) = 8 avinibbhoga-råpas + 3 lahutàdi-råpas
Internal Kalåpas: OccurrenceAll 21 råpa-kalàpas occur internally in living beings.
Note:– Itthibhàva-dasaka does not occur in males.– pumbhàva-dasaka does not occur in females.– For those who are born blind or deaf, cakkhu-
dasaka or sota-dasaka are not present – of the 28 types of råpa, itthibhàva-råpa is
absent in males and purisabhàva-råpa is absent in females only 27 types of råpa will be present in each being
External Kalåpas: OccurrenceAmong the 21 råpa-kalàpas only two utuja-kalàpas
occur in the external (bahiddha) world: 1. All inanimate things such as trees, stones, earth,
water, fire, corpses, etc., are made up of utuja-suddhaññhaka kalàpas.
2. sounds produced by beating two sticks together or by rubbing of branches in the wind or by musical instruments such as violin, piano, radio, cassettes, etc., are utuja-sadda-navaka kalàpas.
Rúpa-Kalåpas (Material Groups) Summary
Nine Kammaja råpa-kalàpas:
1. Eye decad2. Ear decad3. Nose decad4. Tongue decad5. Body decad6. Female decad7. Male decad8. Heart-base decad9. Vital nonad
Six cittaja råpa-kalàpas:1. Pure octad2. Bodily intimation nonad3. Vocal intimation decad4. Lightness triad un-
decad5. Bodily intimation and
Lightness triad do-decad
6. Vocal intimation, sound and Lightness triad tridecad
Rúpa-Kalåpas (Material Groups) Summary
Four utuja råpa-kalàpas:
1. Pure octad2. Sound nonad3. Lightness triad
un-decad4. Sound and
lightness triad dodecad
Two àhàraja råpa-kalàpas:
1. Pure octad2. Lightness triad
un-decad
Arising and Occurrence of Material Phenomena at:1. the moment of conception, 2. during the course of existence, and 3. in different realms
5. Råpa-pavattikkama
Arising and Occurrence of Material Phenomena
IN KÅMALOKA
Four Modes of Birth/Conceivinggabbhaseyaka-pañisandhi (womb-born creatures).
1. Andaja-pañisandhi (egg-born) – conceiving in egg shell
2. Jalàbuja-pañisandhi (womb-born) – conceiving in the womb
3. Saÿsedaja-pañisandhi (moisture-born) – conceiving in the hollow of a tree trunk, in a fruit, in a flower, in marsh, in stagnant water, in corpses and carcasses, etc., like flies and mosquitoes.
4. Opapàtika-pañisandhi (spontaneous birth) – rebirth in the form of a fully grown-up person about 16 years of age as if jumping out of no where. Eg petas and devas
Arising & Occurrence of Rúpa-kalåpas (by Birth Types)
All 28 material qualities occur undiminished, if circumstances permit, in an individual during a life-time in kàmaloka.
At pañisandhi-kàla (the moment of rebirth) of Saÿsedaja (moisture-born) persons & opapàtika (spontaneous rebirth)-persons:
• at most seven kammaja-kalàpas - eye-decad, ear-decad, nose-decad, tongue-decad, body decad, sex-decad and heart-decad are manifested.
• eye, ear, nose, and sex-decads are sometimes not manifested.
Arising & Occurrence of Rúpa-kalåpas (by Birth Types)
gabbhaseyaka-persons (womb-born creatures):• At pañisandhi-kàla (the moment of rebirth):
– three kammaja-kalàpas - body decad, sex-decad and heart-decad are manifested at the moment of conception.
– The sex-decads may not be manifested in some.
• At pavatti-kàla (during life), eye decad and the rest are manifested slowly in order.
Arising & Occurrence of Rúpas(by Cause) – Sense Sphere
1. kammaja-råpa– Starts forming at the moment of the first
arising submoment (uppàda) of rebirth consciousness (pañisandhi citta) and continues forming incessantly at every submoment of every consciousness throughout life. (until 17th citta preceding cuti or death citta)
2. Cittaja-råpa – begins to form from the arising instant
(uppàda) of the first bhavaïga citta that follows pañisandhi citta, and continues forming at every arising instant (uppàda) of the subsequent cittas for the whole life-time.
Arising & Occurrence of Utuja-Rúpas3. Utuja-råpa• starts forming when tejo-dhàtu (utu) present in the
first kammaja-kalàpas comes to the static stage (thãti)] from the existing instant (thãti) of rebirth consciousness, tejo-dhàtu then continues to produce utuja-råpa at every submoment or minor-instant.
• every kalàpa (contains tejo-dhàtu), from the time it reaches the static stage, produces new utuja-kalàpas at every minor instant.
• every utuja kalàpa, from the time it reaches the static stage, produces new utuja-kalàpas at every minor instant.
• The process of production of utuja kalàpa continues forever
Arising & Occurrence of Åhåraja-Rúpas
4. Åhàraja-råpa– Every kalàpa contains the nutritive essence,
ojà. – àhàraja-råpa starts to form when internal ojà
meets external ojà at the time of diffusion of nutritive essence and the combination of internal and external ojà comes to the static stage.
– From that instant, àhàraja-råpa is formed at every minor instant in the sense sphere
Arising & Occurrence of Rúpas in Kåmaloka
• new groups of material qualities are incessantly produced,
• old groups dissolve and disappear when their lifetime of 17 conscious-moments is over.
• material phenomena go on forming and dissolving away uninterruptedly in the sense-sphere till the end of life like the flame of a lamp, or the stream of a river
Material Phenomena at Death• At the time of death, psychic life (jãvitindriya
cetasika) and physical life (jãvitindriya råpa) must cease together.
• The last kammaja råpa is formed at the ‘arising submoment’ of the 17th citta counting backward from cuti citta (death consciousness) so that the last kammaja råpa will cease at the dissolving instant (bhaïga) of cuti citta
• Cittaja-råpa is formed till the arising instant of the cuti-citta. The last cittaja-råpa will have lasted for a conscious-moment at the dissolution of cuti-citta, and thus will perish in another sixteen conscious-moments after cuti.
Material Phenomena at Death• âhàraja-råpa is formed till the dissolving instant
of the cuti citta, • last-formed àhàraja-råpa lasts for only one minor-
instant (submoment of consciousness) after death and will perish completely in another 50 instants (submoments) (3x17 submoments – 1 submoment = 50)
• utuja-råpa goes on forming and dissolving till the corpse is converted into dust. A corpse consists of only utuja-råpa.
Arising and Occurrence of Material Phenomena
RæPALOKA (Material Sphere)
Arising of Material Phenomena in Råpa-planes
• In the råpa-plane, being asexual– nose-decad, tongue-decad, body-decad, sex
decads and àhàraja-kalàpas (pure octad & lahutadi triad undecad of àhàraja origin) do not arise.
– May possess physical form of nose, tongue & body but these lack sense receptivity
• At the time of opapàtika rebirth (spontaneous appearance), four kammaja-kalàpas - eye-decad, ear decad, heart-decad and vital-nonad arise.
• During life, cittaja kalàpas and utuja-kalàpas also arise.
Arising of Material Phenomena in Råpa-plane - Asa¤¤asatta Brahmas
For Asa¤¤asatta brahmas (‘mindless or non-percipient being’ – no desire for perception or consciousness)–
• eye-decad, ear-decad, heart-decad and sound-nonad (sadda-navaka) do not arise.
• cittaja-kalàpas do not arise• at the time of their opapàtika-rebirth, only the
vital-nonad (jãvita-navaka) arises. • During life, utuja-kalàpas, except sound-nonad,
arise in addition.
Arising of Material PhenomenaKàmaloka & Råpaloka - Summary
1. all the 28 råpas arise in the kàma-sphere;
2. in the 15 råpa-planes, with the exception of Asa¤¤a-satta - 23 råpas arise (ghàna-pasàda, jivhà-pasàda, kàya-pasàda, itthi-bhàva and purisa-bhàva being excluded);
3. only 17 råpas arise in the Asa¤¤asatta plane - 8 avinibbhogas, jãvita, pariccheda, 3 lahutàdi, 4 lakkhaõa-råpas;
4. no material arises in the aråpa-planes;
Arising of Material Phenomena Kàmaloka & Råpaloka - Summary
5. eight råpas comprising sadda, five vikàra-
råpas (lahutadi triads and 2 vi¤¤atis),
jaratàråpa and aniccatà-råpa, do not arise at
the moment of birth or conception (pañisandhi-kàla)
6. during life time, there is no råpa which is not
formed.
On the Path – Empirical Learning
Ultimately råpa is formless and massless.Kalàpa can be observed with samàdhi eyeNipphana råpas (18) can be contemplated in
insight meditation
NIBBĀNAUnconditioned Reality
Nirvàna (Nibbàna) & Saüsàra Nirvàna = free or departure from craving Saüsàra = perpetual wanderings in the sea of life;
eternal cycles of birth, aging, sickness and death; transformation of the fivefold khandhas over inconceivable periods due to ignorance and craving.
Craving due to ignorance lead to generation of fresh kamma that gives rise to repeated births and death, endless wanderings in Saüsàra.
When craving is totally annihilated in the four maggas, Nibbàna is attained, one leaves Saüsàra forever
Nibbåna - Definition1. Nibbàna (nirvàõa) is the only unconditioned ultimate
reality2. Nibbàna is supramundane (lokuttara):
beyond the 31 planes of existence, beyond the world of mind and body (five
aggregates).3. Nibbàna is realized by insight knowledge of the Four
Paths; observed by four magga-¤àõa and four phala-¤àõa.
4. Nibbàna is the object of the four Paths (magga) and their Fruits (phala)
5. Departure from craving, an entanglement
What is Nibbåna - AnalysisNibbàna is1. Singlefold by its intrinsic nature:
Nibbàna is unique in its peacefulness (santi); unconditioned undifferentiated ultimate reality unconditioned deathless element totally
transcendent to the conditioned world2. Twofold – according to the way it is experienced
before and after the death of the arahat: sa-upàdisesa Nibbàna (before death) and anupàdisesa Nibbàna (after death)
What is Nibbåna - Analysis3. Threefold according to the different aspects:
Su¤¤ata (void, empty of defilements), Animitta (signless), Appanihita (desireless)
4. Known by other attributes – deathless, endless, non-conditioned, incomparable.
Sa-upàdisesa-Nibbànasa-upàdisesa: Sa – with; upàdi – five aggregates
grasped by craving & false view; sesa – remaining. Sa-upàdisesa Nibbàna = Kilesa Nibbàna, i.e. it is
attained by the annihilation of kilesas. In Buddhas and arahat, vipàka-cittas and their
concomitants (vipàka-namakkhandha) and kammaja-råpas still remain even though defilements have been eradicated.
sa-upàdisesa Nibbàna-dhàtu is the element of Nibbàna which is realized by Buddhas and arahats before death with vipàka-nàmakkhandha and kammaja-råpas remaining
Anupàdisesa-Nibbàna Nibbàna experienced by Buddhas and arahats
after death. anupàdisesa Nibbàna-dhàtu is element of Nibbàna
which is realized without any vipàka-nàmakkhandha and kammaja-råpa remaining
Anupàdisesa Nibbàna = Khandha Nibbàna, i.e. it is attained by the annihilation of the five aggregates.
Three Modes of Nibbåna1. Su¤¤ata-Nibbàna (void aspect) devoid of lust, hatred and ignorance; devoid of råpa and nàma and all that is conditioned. 2. Animitta-Nibbàna (signless aspect) Nibbàna has no form and shape; free from signs of
greed etc and all conditioned things.3. Appanihita-Nibbàna (desireless) no nàma and råpa nor any form and shape to be
longed for by taõhà (craving or lust) not desired by craving; Nibbàna is absolutely free
from lust as well as from the hankerings of lust
Other Characteristics of Nibbåna1. Accutaü – It is past death, and thus no death occurs
in Nibbàna.2. Accantaü – It has past the end called death, so it is
endless.3. Asaïkhataü – It is not conditioned by the four
causes, kamma, citta, utu and àhàra. Hence it is eternal and is neither a cause nor an effect.
4. Anuttaraü – It is superior (unsurpassable) to and more noble than any Dhamma.
5. Padaü – It is an objective reality (vatthu-dhamma) that can be realized by ariyas (noble persons).
Javana & Other cittasKàma-javana cittas (29) — 12 akusala cittas + 8
mahà-kusala cittas + 8 mahà-kiriya cittas + 1 hasittupàda cittas.
Appana-javana cittas (26)= 9 mahaggata kusala cittas + 9 mahaggata kiriya cittas + 4 magga-¤àõa cittas + 4 phala-¤àõa cittas. (ref: mtm, p124/448)
Two abhi¤¤àna citta = 5th råpavacara kusala abhi¤¤àna citta, and 5th råpavacara kiriya abhi¤¤àõa citta.
Manodhàtu cittas consist of pa¤cadvàràvajjana citta and 2 sampañicchana cittas (ref: mtm, 125/448)
11 cittas which perform tadàlambana-kicca (registering function). They are 3 santiraõa cittas and 8 mahà-vipàka cittas.
ParamàõuAccording to the ancient beliefone rathareõu consists of 16 tajjàris, one
tajjàri, 16 aõus; one aõu, 16 paramàõus. The minute particles of dust seen dancing
in the sunbeam are called rathareõus.One paramàõu is 4096th part of a
rathareõu. This paramàõu was considered indivisible.
Citta & Rupa life spanLife span of a citta measured in short instants as:Uppàda – the genetic instantThãti – the existing instantBhaïga – the dissolving instantLife span of rupa = 17 citta moments with the exception of five
råpas— two vi¤¤attis (one citta moment), jàti, jarà, and aniccatà. (p334, Narada)