2.23. Interdependence of Name and Form (T1670B2.23)

The king asked, “You were talking just now of name-and-form, what does name mean, what does form mean?”

Nāgasena replied, “What is currently existing is the form (i.e. the body), what the mind thinks is name.”

“Why is it, Nāgasena, that name is not reborn separately from its form?”

“The name and form of a person are connected one with another and spring into being together. It is like an egg that consists of the yoke and the egg-shell. Just so, the name is not separate from its form.”

“Excellent, Nāgasena.”

Nāgasena Bhikṣu Sūtra, translated by Venerable Guang Xing. Buddha’s Light Edition English Sutra Translation Series, 2008. This publication is part of translation program of the Woodenfish Project.

The full text, with detailed notes, textual and historical discussion, and comparison between Pali and Chinese texts, is available for download in two separate files, Translation and Notes.

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Used with kind permission of Buddha’s Light Publishing.

This SuttaCentral edition was prepared by Bhikkhu Sujato.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.