Study Report 15

Now, let us go to the Exposition Chapter.

It is still the 1st Chapter of Pairs on Aggregates (Khandhayamakaṃ), and it is in exposition now: Exposition Chapter on Terms (Paññattivāraniddesa).

There are four methods on this Exposition Chapter, and this is the 1st of the FOUR Methods: Chapter on Purification of Words (Padasodhanavāro).

Positive (Anulomaṃ)

Pali Text:
[26/211]
Rūpaṃ rūpakkhandhoti?
Piyarūpaṃ sātarūpaṃ rūpaṃ, na rūpakkhandho, rūpakkhandho rūpañceva rūpakkhandho ca.
Rūpakkhandho rūpanti? āmantā.

Translation: (i)
Q. Is it which is called ‘rūpa’ called ‘aggregate of matter’?
A. Lovable-rūpa and pleasant-rūpa are called ‘rūpa’, but not called ‘aggregate of matter’. Aggregate of matter is both called ‘rūpa’ and ‘aggregate of matter’.
Q. Is it which is called ‘aggregate of matter’ called ‘rūpa’?
A. Yes.

Guide:
(i) Q. Is it which is called ‘rūpa’ called ‘aggregate of matter’?
A. Lovable-rūpa and pleasant-rūpa are called ‘rūpa’, but not called ‘aggregate of matter’. Aggregate of matter is both called ‘rūpa’ and ‘aggregate of matter’.

Aggregate of matter refers to 28 matters in the ultimate sense.
The word rūpa here means not only 28 matters, but also 81 mundane consciousness and its associated 52 mental factors.

In Yamaka, lovable-rūpa and pleasant-rūpa only refer to mental states, which are 81 mundane consciousness and its associated 52 mental factors. But in Suttanta, they refer to both mind and matter.

Examples: object of lovable-rūpa and pleasant-rūpa are idea, Jhana state, knowledge, etc. It refers to the nature (i.e. lovable nature and pleasant nature).

“Q. Is it which is called ‘aggregate of matter’ called ‘rūpa’? A. Yes.”
The answer is ‘Yes’, if it is aggregate of matter, it is definitely rūpa.