The Four Stages of Existence

Destruction and creation, akin to the four stages of existence—formation, endurance, decay, and emptiness—serve as a natural manifestation of the interdependent origination, cessation, impermanence, and non-self characteristics of all phenomena. All sentient beings and myriad Dharma realms are in a constant state of transformation through birth and extinction, dependent upon causal conditions, devoid of any true, permanent essence (emptiness).

For instance, the lotus emerges unstained from the mud; the "decay" of the mud is precisely the "formation" of the lotus. All phenomena arise and perish within the cycle of dependent origination, exemplifying the impermanence depicted in Buddhist teachings.The term "destruction" refers to the deterioration of the physical form and the dissolution of old conditions, while "creation" pertains to the arising of new conditions and the manifestation of new aspects within the Dharmadhatu. In reality, these represent merely different phases within the stream of dependent origination—"birth is precisely death; death is precisely birth." By comprehending the "subtle emptiness of all things," one can remain unattached to the duality of birth and death, ultimately realizing that "Nirvana is birth and death; birth and death are Nirvana."

"All phenomena are impermanent, all dharmas are non-self, and Nirvana is tranquility; the existence, endurance, decay, and emptiness of all things are but the transient flow within the realm of emptiness."