the five elements (earth, water, fire, wind, void)
Buddhist term for the five elements in Japanese philosophy: earth, water, fire, wind, and void. Compare with 五行 (ごぎょう), the Chinese-derived five elements.
See also: 五行 (ごぎょう)
In Buddhism, the five elements refer to earth, water, fire, wind, and void.
五大 is sometimes used as an abbreviation for the five great wisdom kings.
From 五 (ご, 'five') + 大 (だい, 'great'). The specific Buddhist meanings are derived from Sanskrit concepts translated into Chinese and then adopted into Japanese.