six elements ［六大］ ( roku-dai): Also, six great elements. Six constituent elements of all things in the universe, both material and spiritual. They are the five elements of earth, water, fire, wind, and space, plus consciousness. The concept of the six elements is used notably by Esoteric Buddhism. Esoteric Buddhism maintains that the six elements of Mahāvairochana Buddha and those of ordinary people mutually interfuse and that the six elements themselves interpenetrate without obstruction and are always united. See also five elements.