There is no change. When we experience the arising of namarupa, there is kamma rippening of nama and kamma rippening of rupa.Pulsar wrote: ↑Tue May 10, 2022 10:20 am In the earliest tier of Suttas, Buddha defines rupa in Nama-rupa as a mental component of the embodied experience just like feeling is a mental component.
Did Buddha change his mind, halfway through the canon? and also accept Arupa samatthis as central to the release from suffering?
In example, when there is body pain, at that moment there is kamma rippening of nama (mental pain) and kamma rippening of rupa (body pain).
Namarupa is known as nama at the mind door level: we know a mind image(nama) of namarupa. It doesn't mean nama and rupa are both nama. The issue is when rupa cannot experience anything, rupa only can be known by means nama.
Arhants can know that difference and they don't experience dukkha when there is body pain. Because also pain is known like nama at the mind door level. And they don't experience dukkha, only body-pain. They don't keep the delusion of "my body" but are aware of the distinction between nama and rupa.
They are living the distinction of what the SN 12.2 says:
Understanding of the distinction also helps to see the logics for the existence of beings in the arupa-loka and rupa-loka realms."And what is nama-rupa? Feeling, perception, intention, contact & attention: this is called nama. The four great elements, and the rupa dependent on the four great elements: this is called rupa. This nama and this rupa are called nama-rupa"
At least I understand in this way