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We must also understand what the elements are and how they function. What is the nature of each element beyond the conventional name used to talk about it?

Some Buddhist masters teach that all of the elements are present in varying amounts in the subatomic units called kalapas. There each element would be a quality only. Earth would be solely hardness or softness, water would be the element of cohesion, not of water molecules. Fire would be combustion or temperature. Wind would be extention of forms.

Those are said to be the 4 primary elements of all objects. At varying amounts and qualities. Internal and external. Then other elements and qualities like nutritional value, etc.

Nevertheless none of it matters if we have no direct experience of it. Like Jesus walking on water and the Buddha and his disciples manifesting all kinds of powers gained through jhanic concentration and investigation.

To us being good or bad I believe it is about action in thoughts, words and deeds. All thoughts and mind objects themselves, that are passing through our mind, are just what they are, without any inherent self in themselves, inconstant, changing and impermanent.

Our volition however is our actions and our results. That is how we build our present and our future. Doing good or bad. Is that a self? Hardly, but a more pleasant abiding to do good.

Japanese ppl are the most in line.