Dhātumanasikārapabba — Attention to the Nature of the Elements (Exercise 5 in Satipaṭṭhāna Practice) Reflections by Bhante Dr. Chandima
1.5. Kāyānupassanā Dhātumanasikārapabba (Section on Attending to the Nature of the Elements as Mindfulness of the Body) 1.5.1 Puna ca paraṃ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu imameva kāyaṃ yathāṭhitaṃ yathāpaṇihitaṃ dhātuso paccavekkhati: ‘atthi imasmiṃ kāye pathavīdhātu āpodhātu tejodhātu vāyodhātū’ti. Again, monks, a bhikkhu reflects on this very body, however it may be placed or disposed, in terms of the elements: “ In this body, there exists the earth element, the water element, the fire element, and the air element .” This passage introduces dhātu-manasikāra —mindful contemplation of the four great elements ( mahābhūta ). The reflection invites us to see the body as a natural formation, not a personal possession. Pathavī-dhātu (earth element) represents solidity—bones, flesh, and firmness, etc. Āpo-dhātu (water element) refers to fluidity—blood, saliva, and moisture, etc. ...