<p>Yes, this is a very Buddhist thing to say in a funeral. It sounds like a namarupa sort of thing. The form has changed but the name and memory(concepts of the deceased) stay the same. </p>

<p>Concepts don't really die like with real ultimate moment by moment things, they never existed to begin with in the experiential world. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-05T07:09:41.830Z
2017-01-05T07:09:41.830Z
Lowbrow
<p>To understand this one need to understand the definition of Nama and Rupa.
Rupa has the property of 'Ruppathi' or breakability or destructibility.  However Nama according to Abhidhamma represent flexibility or flexing phenomena (Bhikku Bodhi). Nama flexes and rupa breaks. That is why, when we die Nama separates from Rupa but continue to exist, and as long as there is attachment for existence as a being, it gets attached or associates Rupa to continue to form another life (nama-rupa). However, when there is no attachment , nama still exist but without attachment.  This is Nibbhana (Unpolluted chiththa- or 'Phabassara chiththa'. 'Nama Goththan Najeerathi' means the the continuance of 'Flex phenomenon' nama, as a part of Nama-rupa or just Nama.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-10T23:00:58.640Z
2022-09-10T23:00:58.640Z
user24129
<p>This appears in the <a href="https://suttacentral.net/pi/sn1.76" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Najīratisutta</a> ( Najīrati - What does not decay / what does not age; version in <a href="https://suttacentral.net/si/sn1.76" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Sinhala</a> and <a href="https://suttacentral.net/en/sn1.76" rel="nofollow noreferrer">English</a>). From what I have heard and learned in this context what is referenced as Nama is reputation and not the mind.</p>

<p>E.g. the some historic people are long gone but they are still remembered for what they were.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-01-05T07:27:39.763Z
2017-01-05T07:48:49.803Z
2017-01-05T07:48:49.803Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>Yesterday I saw in a funeral banner the following statement.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Rupam Jirati Machanam, Nama Gottam Najirathi</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It means, &quot;the body decays but the Name and the Tribe does not&quot;. But I have concerns on this.</p>
<p>The first part of the statement is valid but however the second part doesn't for me. If everything decays/dies then how is the name and tribe doesn't? For me this is clearly a misinterpretation and destroys the whole base of the Buddha's teachings.</p>
<p>I also found this article on this topic as well:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://parafox-asoka.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-common-misinterpretations-of-pali.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The Common misinterpretations of a Pali Verse that states the body decays but the Name and the Tribe does not</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Is there any Tripitaka source to this statement? or anything similar? Where can I find it?</p>

<pali-canon><sutras><mind-and-matter>
Misinterpretation of a Pali phrase - Rupan Jirathi
# Misinterpretation of a Pali phrase - Rupan Jirathi

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-01-05)

Yesterday I saw in a funeral banner the following statement.

> Rupam Jirati Machanam, Nama Gottam Najirathi

It means, "the body decays but the Name and the Tribe does not". But I have concerns on this.

The first part of the statement is valid but however the second part doesn't for me. If everything decays/dies then how is the name and tribe doesn't? For me this is clearly a misinterpretation and destroys the whole base of the Buddha's teachings.

I also found this article on this topic as well:

* [The Common misinterpretations of a Pali Verse that states the body decays but the Name and the Tribe does not](http://parafox-asoka.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-common-misinterpretations-of-pali.html)

Is there any Tripitaka source to this statement? or anything similar? Where can I find it?

**Tags:** pali-canon, sutras, mind-and-matter


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-01-05. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

This appears in the [Najīratisutta](https://suttacentral.net/pi/sn1.76) ( Najīrati - What does not decay / what does not age; version in [Sinhala](https://suttacentral.net/si/sn1.76) and [English](https://suttacentral.net/en/sn1.76)). From what I have heard and learned in this context what is referenced as Nama is reputation and not the mind.

E.g. the some historic people are long gone but they are still remembered for what they were.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2017-01-05. Score: 2

Yes, this is a very Buddhist thing to say in a funeral. It sounds like a namarupa sort of thing. The form has changed but the name and memory(concepts of the deceased) stay the same.

Concepts don't really die like with real ultimate moment by moment things, they never existed to begin with in the experiential world.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2022-09-10. Score: 0

To understand this one need to understand the definition of Nama and Rupa.
Rupa has the property of 'Ruppathi' or breakability or destructibility. However Nama according to Abhidhamma represent flexibility or flexing phenomena (Bhikku Bodhi). Nama flexes and rupa breaks. That is why, when we die Nama separates from Rupa but continue to exist, and as long as there is attachment for existence as a being, it gets attached or associates Rupa to continue to form another life (nama-rupa). However, when there is no attachment , nama still exist but without attachment. This is Nibbhana (Unpolluted chiththa- or 'Phabassara chiththa'. 'Nama Goththan Najeerathi' means the the continuance of 'Flex phenomenon' nama, as a part of Nama-rupa or just Nama.


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