Buddhist Analysis of Matter

Abstract

Tms study constitutes an inquiry into the analysis of matter as expressed in the sources of Theravada Buddhism, especially in the later systematization known as the Abhidhamma, The introductory chapter is devoted to an examination of the many senses and contexts in which rilpa-& term often used in the sense of matter-occurs ; the definition of rilpa in the sense of matter ; and the general nature of tbe rllpa· dhammas, i.e. the ultimate irreducible factors into which matter is analysed. These riipa-clhammas, twenty eight in all, are classified into two categories as primary and secondary