Dependent Origination
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2013 1:03 am
A concise and simple summary of the Buddha's teachings of dependent origination, from "In the Buddha's Words, an anthology of discourses from the Pali Canon", edited and introduced by Bhikkhu Bodhi:
"Because of (causal realization) of (1) ignorance (avijja), lack of direct knowledge of the Four Noble Truths, we engage in wholesome and unwholesome activities of body, speech and mind; these are (2) volitional formations (sankhara), in other words, kamma. Volitional formations sustain consciousness from one life to the next and determine where it arises; in this way volitional formations condition (3) consciousness (vinnana). Along with consciousness, beginning from the moment of conception, comes (4) "name-and-form" (namarupa) the sentient organism with its physical form (rupa) and its sensitive and cognitive capacities (nama). The sentient organism is equipped with (5) six sense bases (salayatana), the five physical sense faculties and the mind as organ of cognition. The sense bases allow (6) contact (phassa) to occur between consciousness and its objects, and contact conditions (7) feeling (vedana). Called into play by feeing, (8) craving (tanha) arises, and when craving intensifies it gives rise to (9) clinging (upadana), tight attachment to the objects of desire through sensuality and wrong views. Impelled by our attachments, we again engage in volitional actions pregnant with (10) a new existence (bhava). At death, this potential for new existence is actualized in a new life beginning with (11) birth (jati) and ending in (12) aging-and-death (jaramarana)."
The above wisdom makes clear that (a) consciousness "precedes" and "follows" the formation of the sentient body and (b) that it is ignorance that causes this formation to occur. It is not that ignorance is error, but rather, that it is a principle or law present in the Mind of God or Life. In other words, it is purposed to be revealed. Purpose to revealed for Wisdom's "sake", Wisdom who gives the way to cause its cessation or reversal (patiloma).
Fearing "patiloma", the way of Wisdom is natural for it tugs and pulls at us to constantly let go of every Ignorant view we hold dear.
In the bible, the ignorance of dependent origination is represented by the appearance of the Lord (natural law) God who ignorantly forms Adam, then Eve, from the dust of the ground.
"Because of (causal realization) of (1) ignorance (avijja), lack of direct knowledge of the Four Noble Truths, we engage in wholesome and unwholesome activities of body, speech and mind; these are (2) volitional formations (sankhara), in other words, kamma. Volitional formations sustain consciousness from one life to the next and determine where it arises; in this way volitional formations condition (3) consciousness (vinnana). Along with consciousness, beginning from the moment of conception, comes (4) "name-and-form" (namarupa) the sentient organism with its physical form (rupa) and its sensitive and cognitive capacities (nama). The sentient organism is equipped with (5) six sense bases (salayatana), the five physical sense faculties and the mind as organ of cognition. The sense bases allow (6) contact (phassa) to occur between consciousness and its objects, and contact conditions (7) feeling (vedana). Called into play by feeing, (8) craving (tanha) arises, and when craving intensifies it gives rise to (9) clinging (upadana), tight attachment to the objects of desire through sensuality and wrong views. Impelled by our attachments, we again engage in volitional actions pregnant with (10) a new existence (bhava). At death, this potential for new existence is actualized in a new life beginning with (11) birth (jati) and ending in (12) aging-and-death (jaramarana)."
The above wisdom makes clear that (a) consciousness "precedes" and "follows" the formation of the sentient body and (b) that it is ignorance that causes this formation to occur. It is not that ignorance is error, but rather, that it is a principle or law present in the Mind of God or Life. In other words, it is purposed to be revealed. Purpose to revealed for Wisdom's "sake", Wisdom who gives the way to cause its cessation or reversal (patiloma).
Fearing "patiloma", the way of Wisdom is natural for it tugs and pulls at us to constantly let go of every Ignorant view we hold dear.
In the bible, the ignorance of dependent origination is represented by the appearance of the Lord (natural law) God who ignorantly forms Adam, then Eve, from the dust of the ground.