Mahābhūta 5820809 220359790 2008-06-19T13:59:50Z Cminard 6243595 Added pointer. {| cellpadding=2 style="float:right" | | {{Buddhism|collapsed=1}} |- | {{Classic element}} |} '''Mahābhūta''' is [[Pāli]] for the "Great Elements."<ref>Or, more literally, "Great Natures." See Rhys Davids & Stede (1921-25), p. 507, [http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.2:1:3646.pali entry for "Bhūta."]</ref> The four Great Elements (Pali: ''cattāro mahābhūtāni'') are earth, water, fire and air. Mahābhūta is generally synonymous with '''catudhātu''', which is Pāli for the "Four Elements."<ref>Note that the Pāli word ''dhātu'' is used in multiple contexts in the [[Pali canon|Pāli canon]]. For instance, Bodhi (2000), pp. 527-8, identifies four different ways that ''dhātu'' is used including in terms of the "eighteen elements" and, as in this article, in terms of "the four primary elements."</ref> In early [[Buddhism]], the Four Elements are a basis for understanding and for liberating oneself from suffering. ==Definitions== In the [[Pali canon]],<ref>These elaborations on the elements can be found in the [[Majjhima Nikaya]] discourses nos. 28, 62, 140. See below for more information.</ref> the most basic elements are usually identified as four in number but, on occasion, a fifth and, to an even lesser extent, a sixth element may be also be identified. ===Four primary elements=== In canonical texts, the four Great Elements refer to elements that are both "external" (that is, outside the body, such as a river) and "internal" (that is, of the body, such as blood). These elements are described as follows: *'''Earth element''' (''pa{{IAST|ṭ}}havī-dhātu'')<br>Internal earth elements include head hair, body hair, nails, teeth, skin, flesh, sinews, bone, organs, intestinal material, etc.<ref>The traditional list of body parts associated with the earth element are the first 19 of 31 body parts &mdash; from head hair to feces &mdash; identified in the Pali Canon with the contemplation of [[Patikulamanasikara]], with the catch all phrase of "or whatever else internal, within oneself, is hard, solid, & sustained" (trans. [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.028.than.html Thanissaro, 2003b)] added.</ref> *'''Water (or liquid) element''' (''āpo-dhātu'')<br>Internal water elements include bile, phlegm, pus, blood, sweat, fat, tears, nasal mucus, urine, etc.<ref>The traditional list of water-element body parts are the latter twelve of 31 body parts &mdash; from bile to urine &mdash; identified in [[Patikulamanasikara]] contemplations, with the catch all phrase of "or whatever else internal, within oneself, is liquid, watery, & sustained" (trans. [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.028.than.html Thanissaro, 2003b)] added.</ref> *'''Fire element''' (''tejo-dhātu'')<br>Internal fire elements include those bodily mechanisms that produce physical warmth, aging, digestion, etc. *'''Air (or wind) element''' (''vāyo-dhātu'')<br>Internal air elements includes air associated with the pulmonary system (for example, for breathing), the intestinal system ("winds in the belly and ... bowels"), etc. These four elements are described as "primary" or "underived" (''no-upādā'') matter (''rūpa''), meaning that they cannot be analyzed into further atomistic units. While underived, this does not mean that they are "unconditioned."<ref>E.g., see Hamilton (2001), pp. 5-6.</ref> Thus, for instance, according to the 5<sup>th</sup> c. CE [[atthakatha|commentarial]] [[Visuddhimagga]], "as to the proximate cause, each [element] has the other three as its proximate cause."<ref>[[Buddhaghosa]] (1999), [[Visuddhimagga|Vism]]. XIV.35, p. 443.</ref> ===Fifth and sixth elements=== In addition to the above four elements of underived matter, two other elements are occasionally found in the Pali Canon:<ref>The "space element" is encountered more frequently in the canonical discourses than is the "consciousness element." Examples of discourses that include both of these latter elements are [[Digha Nikaya|DN]] 33 (Walshe, 1995, p. 500, para. 16), [[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 140 [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.140.than.html (Thanissaro, 1997c),] and [[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 27.9 [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn27/sn27.001-010.than.html#sn27.009 (Thanissaro, 1994).]</ref> *'''Space element''' (''ākāsa-dhātu'')<br>Internal space elements includes bodily orifices such as the ears, nostrils, mouth, anus, etc. *'''Consciousness element''' (''[[Vijñāna|viññā{{IAST|ṇ}}a]]-dhātu'')<br>Described as "pure and bright" (''parisuddha{{IAST|ṃ}} pariyodāta{{IAST|ṃ}}''), used to cognize the three feelings (''[[vedana]]'') of pleasure, pain and neither-pleasure-nor-pain, and the arising and passing of the sense contact (''[[phassa]]'') upon which these feelings are dependent. According to the [[Abhidhamma Pitaka]], the "space element" is identified as "secondary" or "derived" (''upādā'').<ref>Hamilton (2001), pp. 5, 35 ''n''. 9. For more information regarding "primary/underived" and "secondary/derived" matter, see the article [[Rupa]].</ref> ==Soteriological uses== The Four Elements are used in [[Buddhist]] texts to both elucidate the concept of suffering (''[[dukkha]]'') and as an object of meditation. ===Understanding suffering=== The Four Elements pertinence to the Buddhist notion of suffering comes about due to: :* The Four Elements are the primary component of "form" (''[[rūpa]]''). :* "Form" is first category of the "Five Aggregates" (''[[khandhas]]''). :* The Five Aggregates are the ultimate basis for suffering (''dukkha'') in the "[[Four Noble Truths]]." Schematically, this can be represented in reverse order as: :Four Noble Truths → Suffering → Aggregates → Form → Four Elements Thus, to deeply understand the Buddha's Four Noble Truths, it is beneficial to have an understanding of the Great Elements. ===Meditation object=== In the [[Mahasatipatthana Sutta]] ("The Greater Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness," [[Digha Nikaya|DN]] 22), in listing various bodily meditation techniques, the [[Gautama Buddha|Buddha]] instructs: :"...Just as if a skilled butcher or his assistant, having slaughtered a cow, were to sit at a crossroads with the carcass divided into portions, so a monk reviews this very body ... in terms of the elements: 'There are in this body the earth-element, the water-element, the fire-element, the air-element.' So he abides contemplating body as body internally...."<ref>Walshe (1995), p. 338.</ref> In the Visuddhimagga's well-known list of forty meditation objects (''[[Kammaṭṭhāna|kamma{{IAST|ṭṭ}}hāna]]''), the great elements are listed as the first four objects. ==Sources== In the [[Pali canon]], the Four Elements are described in detail in the following discourses (''[[sutta]]''): * Mahahatthipadompama Sutta ("The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant's Footprint," [[Majjhima Nikaya |MN]] 28)<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.028.than.html Thanissaro (2003b).]</ref> * Maharahulovada Sutta ("The Greater Discourse of Advice to Rahula," MN 62)<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.062.than.html Thanissaro (2006).]</ref> * Dhatuvibhanga Sutta ("The Exposition of the Elements," MN 140)<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.140.than.html Thanissaro (1997c).]</ref> The Four Elements are also referenced in: * Kevaddha Sutta ([[Digha Nikaya |DN]] 11)<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.11.0.than.html Thanissaro (1997b).]</ref> * [[Mahasatipatthana Sutta]] (DN 22) * [[Satipatthana Sutta]] ([[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 10) * Chabbisodhana Sutta (MN 112) * Bahudhatuka Sutta (MN 115) * Kayagatasati Sutta (MN 119)<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.119.than.html Thanissaro (1997a).]</ref> * Anathapindikovada Sutta (MN 143)<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.143.than.html Thanissaro (2003a).]</ref> * Catudhatu-vaggo ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] ch. 14, subch. IV), several discourses<ref>Bodhi (2000), pp. 645-50.</ref> * Saddhammapatirupaka Sutta (SN 16.13)<ref>Bodhi (2000), pp. 680-1; [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn16/sn16.013.than.html Thanissaro (2005).]</ref> * Bija Sutta (SN 22.54)<ref>Bodhi (2000), pp. 891-2; [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.054.than.html Thanissaro (2001).]</ref> * Asivisa Sutta (SN 35.197 or 35.238)<ref>Bodhi (2000), pp. 1237-9; [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.197.than.html Thanissaro (2004a).]</ref> * Kimsuka Sutta (SN 35.204 or 35.245)<ref>Bodhi (2000), pp. 1251-3; [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.204.than.html Thanissaro (1998).]</ref> * Dutiya-mittamacca Sutta (SN 55.17)<ref>Bodhi (2000), p. 1806.</ref> * various brief [[Samyutta Nikaya]] discourses entitled, "Dhatu Sutta" (SN 18.9,<ref>Bodhi (2000), p. 697.</ref> SN 25.9,<ref>Bodhi (2000), p. 1006; [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn25/sn25.009.than.html Thanissaro (2004b).]</ref> SN 26.9,<ref>Bodhi (2000), p. 1010</ref> SN 27.9<ref>Bodhi (2000), p. 1014; [http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn27/sn27.001-010.than.html#sn27.009 Thanissaro (1994).]</ref>) * Tittha Sutta ([[Anguttara Nikaya|AN]] 3.61)<ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.061.than.html Thanissaro (1997).]</ref> * Nivesaka Sutta (AN 3.75) * Rahula Sutta (AN 4.177) In addition, the Visuddhimagga XI.27''ff'' has an extensive discussion of the Four Elements.<ref>Buddhaghosa (1999), pp. 343''ff''.</ref> ==See also== *[[Four Noble Truths]] *[[Dukkha]] *[[Khandhas]] *[[Rupa]] *[[Classical element]] *[[Samkhya]] one of the six schools of classical Indian philosophy, defines Mahabhuta as 5 subtle elements, adding Ether. ==Notes== <references/> ==Bibliography== * [[Bhikkhu Bodhi|Bodhi, Bhikkhu]] (trans.) (2000). ''The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya''. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0861713311. * [[Buddhaghosa]], Bhadantācariya (trans. from Pāli by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli) (1999). ''The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga''. Seattle, WA: BPS Pariyatti Editions. ISBN 1928706002. * Hamilton, Sue (2001). ''Identity and Experience: The Constitution of the Human Being according to Early Buddhism''. Oxford: Luzac Oriental. ISBN 1-898942-23-4. * {{IAST|Ñāṇamoli}}, Bhikkhu (trans.) & Bodhi, Bhikkhu (ed.) (2001). ''The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya''. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 086171072X. *[[Nyanaponika Thera]] (trans.) (1981). ''The Greater Discourse on the Elephant-Footprint Simile''. Kandy, Sri Lanka: Buddhist Publication Society. * [[T. W. Rhys Davids|Rhys Davids]], T.W. & William Stede (eds.) (1921-5). ''The Pali Text Society’s Pali–English Dictionary'' [PED]. Chipstead: [[Pali Text Society]]. 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''Dhatu-vibhanga Sutta: An Analysis of the Properties'' ([[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 140). Retrieved 2008-03-17 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.140.than.html. * Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1998). ''Kimsuka Sutta: The Riddle Tree'' ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 35.204). Retrieved 2008-03-17 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.204.than.html. * Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (2001). ''Bija Sutta: Means of Propagation'' ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 22.54). Retrieved 2008-03-17 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.054.than.html. * Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (2003a). ''Anathapindikovada Sutta: Instructions to Anathapindika'' ([[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 143). Retrieved 2008-03-17 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.143.than.html. * Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (2003b). ''Maha-hatthipadopama Sutta: The Great Elephant Footprint Simile'' ([[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 28). Retrieved 2008-01-30 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.028.than.html. * Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (2004a). ''Asivisa Sutta: Vipers'' ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 35.197). Retrieved 2008-03-17 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.197.than.html. * Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (2004b). ''Dhatu Sutta: Properties'' ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 25.9). Retrieved 2008-03-17 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn25/sn25.009.than.html. * Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (2005). ''Saddhammapatirupaka Sutta: A Counterfeit of the True Dhamma'' ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 16.13). Retrieved 2008-03-17 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn16/sn16.013.than.html. * Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (2006). ''Maha-Rahulovada Sutta: The Greater Exhortation to Rahula'' ([[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 62). Retrieved 2008-03-17 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.062.than.html. * Walshe, Maurice O'C. (trans.) (1995). ''The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya''. Boston: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0861711033. {{Buddhism topics}} [[Category:Buddhist philosophical concepts]] [[Category:Buddhist terms]] [[Category:Classical elements]] [[Category:Tutelary]] [[Category:Pali words and phrases]] [[nl:Vier Elementen (boeddhisme)]] [[ru:Махабхута]] [[zh:佛教四大元素]]