The Chinese five ‘elements’ are in fact processes for example Putin is a Water Dragon, and 2024 is the year of the Wood Dragon. Water and Wood are in the five. Water is a nourishing process which gives rise to Wood, that’s easily seen. Wood is a growth process like a stem of bamboo. Next year then Putin will be overcome by Wood, which is a natural process. This is part of the ‘generating’ system; there is also a ‘destructive’ cycle, and these seem to parallel dhamma and impermanence in Buddhism.
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