（maha^-bhu^ta）. The 'four gross elements.' 'Gross' （大） means 'element，' which all substances are composed of. These are: （1） tu 土 the earth element （prthivi^ dha^tu）， which has the basic quality of hardness and the function of protection; （2） shui 水 water （ab-dha^tu）， which has the function of gathering and storing wetness; （3） 火 fire （teja-dha^tu）， which is the nature of heat and has the function of warming; （4） feng 风 wind （va^yu^-dha^tu）， which has the function of giving life to all living things. It is thought that when these are gathered， material substance is produced; therefore they are called the 'forms of creatability.' In India， there are other transmissions of ideology whose explanations resemble this one， and even within Buddhism there are other explanations， but in the explanation of Abhidharma Buddhism， the objects of consciousness of earth， wind， fire and water are provisional elements， since the true elements are imperceptible.