The Shute Hoyo Shiki says:

“When the practitioner enters into the place of practice he [or she] should contemplate the following: Now this place of practice is composed of the four great elements. These four great elements pervade the ten directions in the past, present, andfuture.”

Shute Hoyo Shiki – Udana-in Nichiki, page 389

In our present existence it isn’t possible for us to see deep into the molecular structure of all that exists along side of us. We are not naturally endowed with electron microscopic eyesight. Yet even though imperceptible everything around and within us is composed of the elements of earth, wind, water, and fire from a Buddhist perspective. And just as all the things manifest around us are composed of these elements so too are our very own bodies.