Path of Freedom [Vimuttimagga]

Subjects of Meditation 203namely, support-condition and presence-condition. Here the four elementsthat are produced by kamma are co-nascent elements. (Elements that aremutually dependent) * fulfil four conditions, namely, co-nascence-condition,mutuality-condition, support-condition, presence-condition. Other elementsfulfil two conditions, namely, support-condition and presence-condition.Thus one should know (the elements) produced from consciousness, producedfrom season and produced from food. The earth-element becomes a conditionof the other elements by way of resting-place. The water-element becomesa condition of the other elements by way of binding. The fire-element becomesa condition of the other elements by way of maturing. The air-elementbecomes a condition of the other elements by way of supporting. Thus onedetermines the elements through "condition".[440] How should one determine the elements through "characteristic"?A. The characteristic of the earth-element is hardness. The characteristicof the water-element is oozing. The characteristic of the fire-element is heating.The characteristic of the air-element is coldness. Thus one determines theelements according to "characteristic".Q. How should one determine the elements through "similarity anddissimilarity"? A. The earthy element and the watery element are similarbecause of ponderability. The fire-element and the air-element are similarbecause of lightness. The water-element and the fire-element are dissimilar.The water-element can destroy the dryness of the fire-element; thereforethey are dissimilar. Owing to mutuality, the earth-element and the air-elementare dissimilar. The earth-element hinders the passage of the air-element;the air-element is able to destroy the earth-element. Therefore they aredissimilar. And again, the four elements are similar owing to mutuality orthey are dissimilar owing to their natural characteristics. Thus one determinesthe elements according to "similarity and dissimilarity".Q. How should one determine the elements through "sameness anddifference"? A. The four elements that are produced from kamma areof one nature, because they are produced from kamma; from the point ofcharacteristics they are different. In the same way one should know thosethat are produced from consciousness, from season and from nutriment.The (portions of the) earth-element of the four causes and conditionsare of one nature owing to characteristics; from the point of cause they aredifferent. In the same way one should know the air-element, the fire-elementand the water-element of the four causes and conditions. The four elementsare of one nature owing to their being elements, owing to their being greatprimaries; are of one nature owing to their being things; are of one natureowing to their impermanence; are of one nature owing to their suffering;are of one nature owing to their being not-self. They are different owingto characteristics; are different owing to object; are different owing tokamma; are different owing to differing nature of consciousness; are differentowing to the differing nature of the season; are different owing to the different