The Meaning of Nāma-rūpa

Form refers to material form composed of the four great elements—earth, water, fire, and wind—which is visible to the naked eye, such as the aggregate of form (rūpa). Name refers to dharmas of designation, which are invisible to the naked eye but have function; they can act upon the aggregate of form and can be perceived and observed, such as the aggregate of feeling (vedanā), the aggregate of perception (saṃjñā), the aggregate of formations (saṃskāra), and the aggregate of consciousness (vijñāna). Name and form together constitute the body of the five aggregates of sentient beings, which is the unreal self of sentient beings life after life. This self is not solid; it can be destroyed and can perish; it is a dharma subject to arising, abiding, alteration, and ceasing. Therefore it is not a self, but is merely provisionally named a self. Within "name" are included the manas and its functions, as well as the six consciousnesses and their functions.