The Changeless Nature

Buddha Nature 41A. Earth is supported by water. Water is supported by air. Air issupported by space but space itself is not supported by eitherair, water or earth.B. In a similar way, the aggregates 17 , the elements 18 and thesense faculties 19 are based upon karma 20 and negative affects.Karma and the negative affects are always based on animproper mode of thinking 21 and this improper mode ofthinking is based on the purity of mind. The true nature of themind, however, does not depend upon any of the variousphenomena.C. The aggregates, entrances 22 and elements should be known asbeing similar to the earth element. The karma and negativeaffects of sentient beings should be viewed as being similarto the water element and the improper mode of thinking assimilar to the air element. The true nature of everything is likethe space element insofar as it has no base and no abiding.A. The improper mode of thought rests upon the true nature ofthe mind. This improper mode of thought gives rise to negativeaffects and karma. From the 'waters' of the negative affectsand karma there arise the aggregates, entrances and elements.Just as the universe has origination and disintegration, so alsodo the impure aggregates and so on arise and disintegrate.Ba. The nature of mind is like the space element inasmuch as it iscauseless, unconditioned and free from any combination ofcauses and conditions and that it has neither inception, abidingnor destruction.Bb. This true nature of mind, lucid clarity, is unchanging, likespace. It does not become defiled by desire and the othernegative affects; the accidental impurities which spring froman improper mode of thinking.