A Comparative Study between RŪpakhandha and Scientific Truths

Abstract

This research has two objectives: 1) to analyze RŪpakhandha in Theravada Buddhism, and 2) to compare RŪpakhandha with scientific truths. This is a qualitative research, with the emphasis on MahabhūtarŪpa or the Primary Elements. The study finds that in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, RŪpakhandha refers to a combination of all corporeal things including properties, behaviours, and states of the body of sentient beings, especially human beings. RŪpakhandha consists of 4 MahabhūtarŪpa or the four Primary Elements and 24 UpādāyarŪpa or the twenty-four Secondary Elements. A comparative analysis of RŪpakhandha and the related scientific truths reveals both similarities and differences. Their similarities include the categories and constituents, the development, the characteristics of RŪpakhandha, the constituents of UpādāyarŪpa, and the influences or roles of RŪpakhandha, whereas their difference is the relation to mental factors in the absolute sense that are related to the origin of RŪpakhandha and the process of life.