Rūpa (Skt., ‘form’). The means in Eastern religions through which the accidental and transitory flux of appearance achieves identifiable shape. By means of rūpa, appearance becomes an object of perception.

In Buddhism, rūpa is associated with nāma, as in nāma-rūpa, in the analysis of human appearance, to denote corporeality; see also KHANDHA.

Rupa

In theosophical teachings, rupa denotes form, appearance, or the physical body, the most gross of the seven principles of which personality consists. It is a term originating in Hindu philosophy denoting the subtle essence of form.

(See also Mayavi-rupa .)