The Body Is Neither Real Nor Self

The four great elements within the physical body are undergoing birth, cessation, and transformation moment to moment. The cells within the body are constantly renewing and metabolizing. Within a short period, the cellular tissues undergo complete renewal; the blood within the body is entirely replaced, no longer being the blood it once was. Over a period of time, the visceral organs are completely renewed as well. Even the tissues, organs, muscles, tendons, and other structures throughout the entire body undergo complete renewal and transformation. Ultimately, the bones within the body are also entirely renewed. The entire body, from the inside out and top to bottom, undergoes complete change, no longer being the body it was before.

Therefore, our appearance is constantly changing. Upon reaching a certain age, one's appearance becomes drastically different from that of youth, even to the point of being unrecognizable. Everyone is completely different from when they were a child. Among them, those who have experienced major illnesses may look entirely different from when they were healthy, making it difficult to recognize them as the same person. How can such a body be considered oneself? How can it be considered another?

Thus, when contemplating and observing carefully, a wise person will not regard such a body as real or as the self. They will not stubbornly cling to the notion that "this is me," persisting in attachment and craving. Many people clearly know that such a body is fundamentally ungraspable and utterly uncontrollable. Why then do they not shift their attention and energy to the spiritual realm—which we can grasp to some extent and whose seeds can be stored to yield benefits in future lives—and strive to enhance their prajna-wisdom?