Commentary on The Sutra of the Compendium of Father and Son (XVII)

The State of the Earth Realm at the Time of Its Destruction

Original Text: O King, when this earth realm is about to be destroyed, it is either consumed by fire, swept away by water, or scattered by wind. When consumed by fire, it is like lighting ghee oil; the flames blaze fiercely until even the ashes vanish, leaving nothing to be seen. When swept away by water, it is like throwing salt into water, which dissolves and disappears in an instant. When scattered by the ferocious Vairambhaka wind, the entire three thousand great thousand worlds disintegrate at that very moment, completely vanishing without a trace.

Explanation: The Buddha said: O King, when the earth realm is about to be destroyed, it is either consumed by great fire, submerged by great floods, or scattered by fierce winds. When the earth realm is consumed by fire, it is like lighting a ghee lamp: the flames blaze intensely until the ghee is utterly consumed, leaving not even ashes visible. When the earth realm is swept away by floods, it resembles salt thrown into water, which dissolves and vanishes in a moment. When the earth realm is destroyed by the ferocious Vairambhaka wind, the entire three thousand great thousand worlds immediately disintegrate, leaving nothing behind whatsoever.