Selected Lectures on the Sutra of the Meeting of Father and Son

Volume Sixteen · Chapter Twenty-Six: The Differences Among the Six Elements, Part One

The Six Elements refer to the six great elements: earth, water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness. "Differences" means that each of the Six Elements has its own distinct boundaries, with different functions and roles, exhibiting certain distinctions. *The Sutra of the Meeting of Father and Son* primarily recounts how Sakyamuni Buddha delivered his father, King Śuddhodana. When Sakyamuni Buddha first attained enlightenment, he wished to deliver his father, King Śuddhodana, and thus sent messengers to persuade the king to come to see him. When King Śuddhodana saw Sakyamuni Buddha, he witnessed the World-Honored One predicting Buddhahood for countless assemblies of humans and devas. Deeply moved by this, the World-Honored One seized the opportunity to urge King Śuddhodana to diligently practice the Dharma and not cling to his royal throne or the five desires and six dusts of the mundane world.

Using various dream metaphors, the World-Honored One expounded on the illusory nature and emptiness of all phenomena, thereby persuading King Śuddhodana to understand that the five desires and six dusts are like a dream—illusory and unreal—and that he should not cling to them but instead cultivate the path early to seek liberation. After comprehending these truths, King Śuddhodana no longer clung to the five desires and six dusts. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to studying the Dharma and, upon the end of his life, was reborn in the Land of Ultimate Bliss. It is exceedingly rare for King Śuddhodana, while occupying the royal throne, to have achieved freedom from attachment to the five desires and six dusts. This was entirely the result of the Buddha’s skillful means in delivering him.