Lecture Notes on the Sūtra of the Collection of the Father and Son (Nineteen)

The earth element and the hardness of the earth element are utterly unattainable

Original text: 佛说。大王。此外地界。生时本空。灭时亦空。无有男相。也无女相。但唯言说。之所显示。如是地界。与地界性。皆不可得。唯佛正慧。而能了知。

Explanation: The Buddha said: Great King, when this external earth element arises, it is empty by nature; when it ceases, it is also empty. Within this earth element, there is neither a male mark nor a female mark; it is merely displayed in the form of language—the earth element and the nature of the earth element. Such being the case, the earth element and the hardness of the earth element are both utterly unattainable; only the great wisdom of the Buddha can know them without remainder.