The Changeless Nature

40 The Changeless Nature55 Earth is supported by water, water by air,air is supported by space but spaceis supported neither by air, water nor earth.56 In a similar way the aggregates,the elements and the senses are basedupon karma and defilements.Karma and the defilements are always basedUpon a mode of thought which is wrong.57 This improper mode of thought hasits basis in the mind's purity whereasthe true nature of mind has no basis inany of the many phenomena.58 The aggregates, entrances and elementsshould be known as being similar to earth.The karma and defilements of beingsare to be known as similar to water.59 The improper mode of thoughtis similar to air whereas the true natureis like the element of space —it has no base and no abiding.60 The improper mode of thought abideswithin the true nature of mind.This improper mode of thought gives riseto karma and the defilements.61 From karma and defilements' waters arisethe aggregates, entrances and elements,arising and disintegrating just aseverything begins and has an end.62 The nature of mind is like the space element:it has neither causes, nor conditionsnor these in any combination,nor any arising, destruction or abiding.63 This true nature of the mind - clarity,is, like space, unchanging; not becomingdefiled by desire and so on, passing impuritieswhich from improper thinking spring.