The fundamental constituents of the universe are considered to be the primary cause of the formation of the universe itself, of the beings that inhabit it, and of all the matter that pervades them. These are, in order, Space, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. The elements must be considered in their pure aspect and in terms of potential. Space therefore pervades matter, is present in every atom, and without space the possibility of creation itself and subsequent development would be lacking. Air represents dynamic nature, growth, and movement. Fire is heat and maturation. Water allows for cohesion, amalgamation, and fluidity. Earth is stability, consistency, and solidity. Each of these five elements can be observed outside and inside the human being, in organs, physiological functions, food, drink, emotions, and behavior.

The texts state: The body of creatures is formed by the five elements. The diseases themselves that are to be cured are caused by the five elements. The remedies themselves have the nature of the five elements.

The life and death of all phenomena is determined by the interaction of the elements: if there is balance, from an energetic perspective, and harmony, understood in its dynamic aspect, life will be born and develop; if the elements are out of balance, their potentialities conflict, becoming the primary cause of the perishing of things.
The first element, Space, is an aspect of emptiness; it has no consistency, but in the absence of space, nothing could exist. It is the basis of all manifestations, always necessarily present both within and outside all existing things. Space also pervades all other elements; consequently, we sometimes speak of the four Elements, in which Space is obviously implied, as the essential element from which all others originate.

Like everything else, the origin of our planet, according to Tibetan cosmology, stems from the combination of the energies of the Five Elements. In Space, in fact, the movement and vibration of the Air element manifested. The friction generated by the

The rapid movement of the Wind created heat, the Fire element. The mutual interaction of the elements of Space, Wind, and Fire gives rise to water vapor and clouds that produce rain, the Water element. The interaction of the four elements causes the evaporation of

water and produces the solidity of the Earth element through a process of sedimentation.

In the process of generation, the five elements act in interdependence and  interconnection with one another: Earth depends on Water, Water on Fire, and Fire on Wind. The concept of the interdependence of all phenomena in Buddhist philosophy is expressed once again. Nothing and no one can exist separately from the rest; all beings and things can only exist in interdependence and interconnection with one another.