Solidity and what is based on it

Hi everyone,

Is there a sutta which says something of the like:

The earth base/element is solidity and what is based on/derived from solidity (the same for the other three of them).

I am looking for exactly this differentiation between the element and what is based on it.

I have a strong feeling that I’ve seen this, but can’t find it anywhere.

Thank you!

Just to give you a tool, check out the elements entry in the Comprehensive Index of Pali Suttas: https://index.readingfaithfully.org/#elements-dhaatu

If you follow the cross references to the individual elements there will be a sub entry for definition. I think that is what you are looking for.

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The thing that came to mind was this passage:

““Rāhula, the interior earth element is anything internal, pertaining to an individual, that’s hard, solid, and appropriated. This includes:”
MN62

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Greetings. My explanation is based on the Abhidhamma, and I cannot say at the moment if there are suttas that elucidate this issue in the same detailed way as presented in the Abhidhamma.

Material objects are said to be composed of kalapas, the smallest constituent units of matter (an “atom,” but not in the sense used by modern science). Kalapas are formed by the four great elements (Māhabhūta), which do not exist separately but arise and cease together. The earth element represents the property of matter that generates the sensation of solidity (hardness or softness) when coming into contact with the tactile sense organs.

In addition to the earth element, fire represents heat/cold, air represents motion/resistance, and water represents cohesion/fluidity of material components. The properties of fire and air can also be accessed through the sense of touch. However, the property of water does not have its own distinct sensory impression; it is inferred by the mind through the sensations derived from the other elements.

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Or you can focus on a simpler explanation, one that is easier to find equivalents for in the suttas:

  • Earth refers to everything solid.
  • Water refers to everything liquid.
  • Air refers to everything gaseous and imbued with movement.
    -Fire refers to everything hot and involved in digestion and ripening.

Both expositions share the following common points:

  • The elements have a mutable nature.
  • The elements arise and cease according to causes and conditions.
  • The descriptions of their properties are primarily based on the impressions they generate on the sense organs.
  • There is no fundamental difference between the elements that constitute the body and the elements in objects outside the body.
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Thanks a lot, everyone!

You confirmed my feeling that these are the closest canonical Pāli formulas.