Discourse on the Sutra of the Father and Son Collection (35)

The Water Element in the Physical Body Should Not Be Clung To

The nature of the water element cannot be grasped. If we wish to retain the water element within the physical body, can we retain it? It cannot be retained. All dharmas within the physical body are ungraspable and empty. We cannot seize them nor cling to them. Therefore, when the four elements dissolve at the end of life, the water element likewise dissolves. Our attempt to cling to it and keep it within the physical body is futile. Both this water element and its nature are ungraspable; only the Buddha's wisdom can fully comprehend them. We sentient beings lack sufficient wisdom. Of all the dharmas spoken by the Buddha, we can only understand a small portion, and then we expound just this small portion to sentient beings. Many dharmas spoken by the Buddha we still cannot fully comprehend or realize, let alone the dharmas the Buddha has not yet spoken. Thus, our wisdom is exceedingly far removed from the wisdom of the Buddha.