四大【英】

Four Great Elements（catur-mahabhuta）

定义

佛教认为物质由地、水、火、风四大要素构成。坚性有保持作用为“地大”，湿性有摄集作用为“水大”，暖性有成熟作用为“火大”，动性有生长作用为“风大”。

The belief in Buddhism that matter is composed of four elements: earth, water, fire and wind. Pruṭhavī-dhātu—the earth element—has the property of hardness and the function of protecting. Apa-dhātu,—the water element—has the property of wetness and the function of accumulating. Teja-dhātu—the fire element—has the property of warmth and the function of maturing; and Vāyu-dhātu—the wind element—has the properties of mobility, fluidity, and motion (cesta^) and the function of giving and maintaining life.