Lectures on the Sūtra of the Collection of the Father and Son (Pitāputrasamāgamanasūtra), Volume One

The six elements refer to the six great elements of earth, water, fire, wind, space, and consciousness; "distinctions" means that each of the six elements has its own boundaries, with definite differences in their respective functions. The Sūtra of the Collection of the Father and Son mainly tells the story of how Śākyamuni Buddha liberated his father, King Śuddhodana. When Śākyamuni Buddha first attained the Way, he wished to liberate his father, King Śuddhodana, so he sent someone to persuade the king to come see him. When King Śuddhodana saw Śākyamuni Buddha, he witnessed the World-Honored One conferring predictions of future buddhahood upon countless humans and devas, and was deeply moved. The Buddha then took the opportunity to urge King Śuddhodana to diligently cultivate the Buddha's Dharma and not to be attached to the royal throne or the five desires and six sense objects of the mundane world. Using various dream states as metaphors, the Buddha expounded the illusory nature of all dharmas, thereby persuading King Śuddhodana to understand that the five desires and six sense objects are as unreal and illusory as a dream. After King Śuddhodana understood these principles, he no longer craved the five desires and six sense objects, turned his mind toward studying and practicing the Buddha's Dharma, and at the end of his life was able to be reborn in the land of bliss (Sukhāvatī). That King Śuddhodana could occupy the royal throne yet remain unattached to the five desires and six sense objects was extremely rare—it was entirely the result of the Buddha's skillful means in liberating him.