Tag Archives: twenty-five elements

33. Q: What does it mean when a sutra discusses “the twenty-five elements of existence”?
A: This indicates the nature of undergoing future rebirth or incarnations within the six realms of impermanence. Because of a delusion-filled existence during their life-cycles sentient beings become heavily laden with all manner of karmic aftereffects, and thus experience future rebirths commensurate with these karmic ramifications—reincarnation. However, if in one’s present life-cycle one is determined to transcend these karmic states by embracing the way of the Unborn, then the severing of all past karmic associations becomes a real possibility. In this way one is forever linked with the Dharmakaya which is none other than the Buddha Body of the Absolute—Buddhakaya.
Q: So, then, what are the different qualities of these twenty-five elements?
A: Their essential nature is of one substance. Yet, when each of them are named given their various functions, they are said to be twenty-five. This all breaks down as the ten virtues, ten vices, and the five aggregates.
Q: What are these ten virtues and ten vices?
A: The ten vices are as follows: killing, stealing, recklessness, lying, an abhorrent tongue, decadence, defamation, greed, anger and deceitful views. The ten virtues are simply the absence of the ten vices. read more