Four Element Meditation
Mindfulness 2021 DOI: 10.1007/s12671-020-01516-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that the early Buddhist analysis of the four elements avoids materialist annihilationism and eternalism, and that their use does not reflect Brahminical cosmology, with the goal being transcendence through insight into impermanence and emptiness. |
Abstract
Abstract One of the mindfulness exercises described in the Satipaṭṭhāna-sutta and its parallels concerns the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind, which stand representative of the qualities of solidity, cohesion, temperature, and motion. Within the ancient Indian setting, the early Buddhist analysis of matter into these four elements can be seen to eschew the two extremes of materialist annihilationism and eternalism; closer inspection also shows that the employment of these elements does not reflect the influence of Brahminical cosmology, as assumed by Alexander Wynne. The ultimate concern of mindful contemplation of the elements is their transcendence, which is to be achieved through cultivating liberating insight into their impermanent and empty nature.