Nāmakāya in the Theravāda Buddhist Scriptures: Possible interpretations of meanings

Abstract

 “Nāmakāya”; one of terminological words in Theravāda Buddhism, which is commonly found in Sutta scriptures, but there is not completely defined for a clear meaning. For research methodology, there are some of academic scholars have explained this word by referring to commentary definition “Nāmakhandha”, while another group of academic scholars have defined the contexts of Nāmakāya in Sutta scriptures and explained the meanings of this word as “Kāya” (body) which is totally different from “Rūpakāya”

            The purpose of the journal is to study on the possibility of meanings about “Nāmakāya” by scoping the documentary research on the Therāvada Buddhist scriptures of Sutta and Commentary study. The results of study found that Nāmakāya in Sutta being used for two contexts which are highly essential, there are 1) the process of sensory contact “Phassa” in Paṭiccasamuppāda and       2) the steps to the relinquishment of the defilements of “Muni ”. For Commentary study, there are additional meanings of “Nāmakāya” will be explained as “Nāmakhandha” (feeling, perception, mental formation, consciousness) which refers to attain enlightenment and one of the conditions who reaches to the state of contemplation, the Ariyapuggala monk, the Pacceka Buddha and the Sammā Sambuddha. Therefore, the author believes that the term “Nāmakāya” in Therāvada Buddhist Scriptures may have more than one meaning. Apart from referring to the aggregates (Nāmakhandha), it also refers to the body as the abstract, which derives from the result of mediation practices. The meaning of this term depends on the context in which it is used to explain its meaning.