Selected Lectures on the Sutra of the Father-Son Compendium (20)

Original: What is the external wind element? It refers to such wind as arises from the four directions. When it arises violently, it uproots trees and shatters mountain peaks. When it arises subtly, it lifts garments and sways tala trees. This is called the external wind element.

Explanation: What is the external wind element? It is the wind outside the body that blows from all directions. This includes fierce gales that uproot trees or violent storms that topple mountain peaks; or gentle breezes that lift clothing and sway tala trees—all these belong to the external wind element.

The external wind element arises outside the body. Within the inanimate world, wind exists in all directions. The greatest winds are tempests, tornadoes, and hurricanes, capable of snapping trees and splitting mountain peaks—yet even these are not the most powerful. The mightiest wind in the universe can destroy the three thousandfold world-system, rendering tornadoes and hurricanes insignificant. When the world faces destruction, the arrival of the wind calamity will utterly annihilate the inanimate realm—this is the function of external gales. When a gentle breeze arises, it lifts light objects, causing grass and leaves to sway, evoking deep serenity—this is the function of external zephyrs.

When wind arises in the external space, where did it reside before its emergence? It has no abode; wind cannot be concealed anywhere. If wind could hide in a location, that place would perpetually tremble. Great tempests typically arise without apparent cause. After destroying objects, the storm vanishes—where does the wind go? It has nowhere to depart. If there were a place capable of containing such a tempest, that very location would be obliterated and cease to exist.