The Mind-Body problem in Abhidharma Buddhism: Centered on Sarvāstivāda tradition

The discourse concerning nāmarūpa stands as one of the most vigorously debated topics within Buddhism. In contrast to the rigid adherence to the concept of the eternal self in Indian orthodox philosophy, Buddhists found themselves compelled to address the intricacies of the body and mind in the context of life. Notably, Sarvāstivādin formulated a systematic framework that intricately scrutinized nāmarūpa, laying the groundwork for Mahāyāna Abhidharma. This study delves into the interplay between matter and body, as well as body and mind, as elucidated in Abhidharma treatises, with a specific focus on Mahābhūta and upādāyarūpa. Although mentioned in the Nikāyas alongside Mahābhūta as part of the definition of rūpa, upādāyarūpa lacked explicit elucidation. According to these treatises, while the other four skandhas pertain to mental functions, rūpa encompasses the fundamental constituents of matter, the five physical sense organs, and their corresponding objects. The concept of rūpa of the five aggregates extends beyond the physical body to encompass the material and immaterial objects perceived in the external world. Rūpa even encompasses the object and action the moment the senses come into contact with it, thereby serving to bridge the gap between body and mind. Within the framework of Sarvāstivādin, elucidation on the nature of mind, its actions, and individual self-identity is complemented through various avenues such as rūpa, citta, caitta, citta-viprayukta-saṃskāra, asaṃskṛta, resulting in the formation of a sentient being. Ultimately, the analysis of nāmarūpa reflects the Abhidharma's view of the inseparability of material and mental processes.