think i hunchly know who u are, Singapore AFOL. so X'tian not
supertitious? :)
when deluded, to me believe and not believe also is
supertitious, until one understand thoroughtly the truth, then
believe and not believe is not supertitious.
note that the 4 abstract element is not just
fire, wind, water, earth in a more conceivable form. it's energy
form.
i think one can look up Abhidharma for more "scientific"
explaination by the Buddha. Shurangama Sutra also mention on the
formation of the 4 abstract element and how
mountians and rivers are form.
the quotation is from Abhidhamma. such "energy" cannot be
destroy non discern.
http://replay.waybackmachine.org/20050404163741/http://web.ukonline.co.uk/buddhism/articles/cosmos1.htm
(too bad it's under web
archive)
As mentioned in previous
chapter, the basic abstract elements or smallest matters (maha
bhuta) in the cosmos are the following;
Basic Abstract Elements & Characteristics
:-
(1) Abstract earth (pathavi) To harden and to
soften
(2) Abstract water (apo) To flow and to paste
(3) Abstract Air (vayo) To expand and to contract
(4) Abstract heat (tejo) To heat and to cool
These abstract elements are permanent in existence and
infinite in number. They cannot be destroyed. They have been
existing since time without beginning and shall continue to exist
in the infinite future. Although their number is infinite, yet no
new one can be produced or made.
from A Dictionary of Chinese Buddhist Terms:-
http://web.archive.org/web/20070531182625/http://www.hm.tyg.jp/~acmuller/soothill/soothill-hodous.html
四大 mahābhūta, 四界; 四大界. The four elements of which all
things are made; or the four realms; i. e. earth, water, fire, and
wind (or air); they represent 堅, 濕, 煖, and 動 solid, liquid,
heat, and motion; motion produces and maintains life. As 實
active or formative forces they are styled 四界 (四大界) ; as 假 passive
or material objects they are 四大; but the 成實論 Satyasiddhi
śāstra disputes the 實 and recognizes only the 假.
四大不調 The inharmonious working of the four elements in
the body, which causes the 440 ailments; cf. 四蛇.
http://www.wiki.cn/wiki/%E5%9B%9B%E5%A4%A7
【四大(caturmahabhuta)】 sida
佛教术语。指地、水、火、风为四种构成物质的基本元素。又名四界。界，是种类的意思，谓地、水、火、风四种物体均能保持各自的形态，不相紊乱。
sometime, u can just simply investigate the human body as a
relative form of universe/earth. when angry the
body heats up. when hungry and fearful, u feel cold.
collectively, it's related to
the universe/earth.
/\
