Discourse on the Pitṛputrasamāgama Sūtra (XXVI)

Why Do Tears Flow

Original Text: O King, if at times one suddenly sees beloved ones and tears well up in the eyes; or tears flow when compelled by suffering; or tears flow upon hearing profound teachings due to deep faith; or tears are induced by the blowing of cold winds—from where does this water element come? When the water dries up, where does it go?

Explanation: The Buddha asked: O King, if someone suddenly encounters a beloved person and tears well up; or sheds tears when oppressed by suffering; or upon hearing profound Dharma, tears flow due to faith and joyful reverence; or when cold wind blows and tears emerge—where do these instances of the water element originate? When the tears dry, where does the water element go?

Why do tears flow upon seeing a beloved or cherished person? Tears belong to the water element, which sinks downward. This relates to the clinging and affectionate nature of the mind-consciousness. Attachment causes sinking; hence tears descend. Tears shed in suffering are born of pain, while tears of joy arise from deep emotion. Tears shed upon hearing profound Dharma stem from being moved and spiritually awakened. Some, with profound good roots, upon encountering the Buddha in this life and prostrating before Him, feel overwhelming emotion and unconsciously shed tears; or upon reading Buddhist scriptures, being deeply moved, they also weep. When external wind blows and strikes the eyes, tears emerge. All these tears belong to the internal water element. Where does this internal water element come from? Originally, there are no tears in the eyes—yet when external conditions stimulate them, tears appear. Where do they come from? When the tears dry, where do they go?