THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG THE FOUR ELEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENT OF DHAMMA IN THERAVADA BUDDHISM

Abstract

The results revealed that the 4 elements in Theravada Buddhism related into 3 aspects as 1) body 2) mental and 3) doctrines.  Whenever four elements are changed inside the body that caused sufferings, happiness and neither pain nor happiness more or less depend on the natural condition. It can be known by one who are practicing or developing the tranquility and insight meditation until realizing the Three Characteristics. They can detach and achieve enlightenment. Those three relationships depend on the body and can be used as a tool for practicing or considering to the mental factors as they are.  

        The method and path to deliverance, at the first step, ones need to have the best friends or Kalyàn ฺamittatà, observing the morality or Sãla, cutting off Palibodha or obstruction, developing the tranquility and insight meditation through the Bodhipakkhiya-dhamma: virtues partaking of enlightenment. In addition, one should develop the Threefold Training or the Eightfold Noble Path. The four elements are beneficial for developing meditation in order to realize in the deep of the elements and understanding the Three Characteristics. The suitable food or eating is considered as the main factors for the four elements. The imbalance of the four elements cannot encourage one to attain enlightenment. The one who attains enlightenment needs the internal and external factors to supports viz., the fruit of Kamma, good friend, intrinsic nature of a person, wisdom and the four elements.