5. The Eternal Essence in the Material World.

Today, I will teach about the Eternal Essence in the material world.

All of you are aware that our bodies are composed of cells that are intricately interconnected. Each cell is a small living unit, possessing its own form and its own internal life principles, as well as a Divine Essence residing within.

Ancient people looked at the human body in a general way and believed that it consisted of four elements that combined to form what was called the Four Great Unity.

• The solid material component is called "Earth".
• The liquid material component such as blood, urine, and sweat is referred to as "Water".
• The gaseous material component, which is your breath, is known as "Air".
• The energetic form is your body heat, referred to as "Fire".

These four elements come together to form the human body and its life. It is called "unity" because it does not exist eternally. The body of your parents, your grandparents, emerges and then fades away. A person's body, after growing for many years, also eventually ceases to be. All things undergo change with time.

Within the general categories of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, there are even smaller components. For example, in blood, there are red and white blood cells, it's not just a simple "Water".

However, if we take a general look at the liquid element, which is referred to as the water element within the human body, it is part of the Four Great Unity because these four elements are seen in a general manner, not detailed, and they are not sustainable over time.

Within this unity, there is a true divine life called the Eternal Life of the Spiritual Essence. This spiritual life is enduring, everlasting, known as the "Eternal Life", which I've previously discussed in my teachings about the sacred memories within the Spiritual Essence of humans.

The reason I reiterate this is to make you aware that in the makeup of humans, there are two parts to life:

• 1. A divine aspect.
• 2. A mortal aspect.

Today, we will focus solely on the element of water in our physical body to explore the Eternal Essence that the Supreme Being has placed within us. This Eternal Essence is what the common people call "God" and in Caodaism, we refer to it as the Supreme Deity, the Holy Spirit, the Creator, or the Supreme Divine Father.

While these terms may vary and there are many, they all point to the same unique entity, the first life in the universe that has diversified and continues to exist to this day, of which we are a part.

You all know that if we take a drop of water, the water you drink every day, and break it down into smaller parts, using your imagination, you will encounter small living units of the water called water molecules. With today's scientific knowledge, everyone is aware of this.

If you break down these water molecules further, they will transform into individual atoms, one oxygen atom binding with two hydrogen atoms to create a water molecule.

The ratio of two hydrogen atoms binding with one oxygen atom to form water is called a "Dharma", and it's a natural law within the life of nature. When this law was discovered and when it originated, no one can say for sure. However, thanks to the exploration and innovations of science, humans have uncovered these laws.

It's not that the scientist is the author of this law; he did not create this law. Instead, he merely discovered the life within nature. This law has existed from an unknown time until now. If we alter this law, we cannot create water.

So, the Eternal Essence lies within the element of water in this material world because a profound intelligence determined that the Essence of Matter must adhere to this principle. This inherent wisdom in nature defining these laws is what is called "Buddha".

The ratio of two Hydrogens binding with one Oxygen to form water is called the "Dharma". When these elements combine, a water droplet takes shape, meaning water molecules forming together, create the mass of material water within the cosmic universe, constituting the life of countless beings, this is what we call the "Sangha".

The Three Jewels:

• Buddha,
• Dharma,
• Sangha.

remain in the life of the material world. The code that the Supreme Being placed in Caodaism requires you to remember the mantra during your prayers and ceremonies:

• Namo Buddha
• Namo Dharma
• Namo Sangha.

What does this mean, and what is its significance for your spiritual life?

The phrase "Namo" means to join your hands, bow in reverence, signifying a gesture of respect and obedience. It represents the attitude of a person who understands the mystical Essence of Creation.

The Eternal Essence of the spiritual aspect in all things requires you to respect the life present in nature, manifested in the form of the Three Jewels, which I have just explained.

In other words, the logical meaning is as follows:

• 1. The Supreme Being is Buddha.
• 2. The Divine Mother is Dharma.
• 3. The Infinite World is Sangha.

The attitude of humans is to acknowledge and respect this life because humans originate from the source of this life.

Humans and all living beings must follow the Dharma for survival, transformation, or dissolution, just as that water droplet must adhere to the law of two Hydrogens combining with one Oxygen for its existence, to alter this law would lead to destruction.

Our ancestors had a saying:

which means understanding and abiding by the laws of nature leads to existence, while going against them results in destruction, by altering this two-to-one ratio, we would cease to have water.

Following the Dharma means that before nature, we must adhere to the Divine Will of the Supreme Being, the Spiritual Essence within creation that preserves life. Complying with these laws ensures survival, while going against them, of course, leads to the destruction of life.

The atomic bomb that humanity has created follows Dharma (the universal law) but does not follow Buddha (the teachings of Buddha). Scientists have discovered the laws governing life in the material world, especially atomic energy. By following those laws, they created a bomb to destroy life.

This path is not the path of Eternal Essence; it is the path of self-destruction. The path we are seeking, by learning the sacred teachings of the Supreme Being within the material world, is to find the Eternal Life — the spirit of all creation.

In the tangible rituals taught by the Supreme Being since the inception of Caodaism, we are obligated to recite:

This mantra serves as a reminder to your inner divinity that your attitude must reflect obedience to the Spiritual Essence of Creation. It means that humans must respect the Supreme Being and recognize where the Supreme Being resides.

The Supreme Being resides within the Spiritual Essence of all things, it means that humans must learn to respect the life of all creatures on Earth, specifically adhering to the principle handed down by our ancestors:

If you want to live, don't impose death upon others.

We understand that the accumulated negative karma humans have created has driven them to the fiery battlefields, making it difficult for them to find a way out. The Supreme Being opened the Caodaism to bring forth a remedy to save humanity from destruction and return to life, and requires us to engage in daily meditative practice by reciting the mantra:

This means we must adhere to the Dharma to preserve the lives of all creatures. The lives of all beings encompass both the "Dharma" and "Physical Form", and preserving life means conserving all three aspects.

Philosophers, when searching for theories to explain the universe and humans, some focus on the Spiritual Essence, some on the Dharma, and others on Physical Form.

These differing theories have led to many conflicts in human thought over time. Even if they reject one or two aspects among these three, life continues to exist within the Spiritual Essence, the Dharma, and the Physical Form.

Life is the divine mechanism that Creation has set in motion since time immemorial. Explaining it is a matter for human intellect to explore. However, the capacity of human reasoning is limited, while the divine mechanism is infinitely vast and marvelous. The Eternal Life still exists, but human understanding of it has limits.

Therefore, I advise you to keep learning and seeking knowledge. To follow the Dharma for the preservation of all beings, you must understand what the Dharma entails. You must have a mindful and rational approach to the material world, understanding the Spiritual Essence present in the earth, stones, plants, and adhering to the miraculous laws that human reason has discovered, utilizing them to create and transform the environment to preserve life of all species.

The Supreme Being is the Lord of Compassion and his Divine Law lies within that love.