Significance of Dependent arising

Dependent arising is a central doctrine in Buddhism that explains how all phenomena emerge based on multiple causes and conditions. This principle is crucial for understanding illness and highlights the interconnected nature of reality. In Mahayana Buddhism, it is referred to as pratityasamutpada, while in Theravada, it emphasizes the fundamental connection between all elements of existence. The complexity and profundity of dependent arising illustrate the intricate web of interdependence that shapes our understanding of the world.

Synonyms: Dependent origination, Interdependence, Conditionality, Interconnectedness, Interdependent origination, Conditioned genesis, Pratityasamutpada

In Dutch: Afhankelijk ontstaan; In Finnish: Riippuvainen syntyminen; In Spanish: Surgimiento dependiente; In German: Abhängiges Entstehen

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Dependent arising'

Buddhism Books

Dependent arising in Buddhism, or pratityasamutpada, is a core principle emphasizing that all phenomena are interdependent, arising from multiple conditions and highlighting the complex, interconnected nature of reality.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: A Manual of Abhidhamma

(1) This philosophical teaching, also known as paticca-samuppada, illustrates how all phenomena arise dependent on conditions.[1] (2) A law that describes the simple happening of a state that depends on its antecedent state.[2] (3) The Law that shows how all phenomena arise together in an interdependent manner, where each factor is conditioned by the preceding factors.[3]

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) A fundamental Buddhist concept indicating that all phenomena arise in dependence on conditions and are interconnected.[4] (2) A fundamental concept in Buddhism outlining the interconnected nature of reality; noted as complex and profound in the text.[5]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) A core principle in Buddhism (pratityasamutpada) indicating that all things arise in dependence upon multiple factors.[6]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: Hualin International Journal of Buddhist Studies

(1) Dependent-arising is a key concept in Madhyamaka thought, which Longlian uses to redefine agency, revalorize karmic efficacy, and pluralize social ontology, influencing her understanding of morality.[7]

Hindu concept of 'Dependent arising'

Hinduism Books

Dependent arising in Hinduism can be interpreted as the understanding that all phenomena, including illness, emerge from specific conditions and multiple causes, emphasizing the interconnectedness of existence and the importance of recognizing these relationships in life.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: Bhesajjakkhandhaka (Chapter on Medicine)

(1) This is a doctrine related to the Four Noble Truths. According to this, illness arises dependent on ignorance, craving, and the six sense-bases.[8] (2) A central Buddhist doctrine explaining that phenomena arise based on specific conditions, crucial for understanding illness.[9] (3) The Buddhist principle explaining that all phenomena arise in dependence on multiple causes and conditions.[10]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)

(1) Buddhism's term for the principle that all phenomena arise in dependence on conditions.[11]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

The concept of Dependent arising in local and regional sources

History Books

Dependent arising is a fundamental Buddhist concept highlighting that all phenomena are interrelated and arise through their connections with one another, illustrating the interconnectedness of existence and the nature of reality according to Regional sources.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka

(1) The Buddhist concept that all phenomena arise in dependence on other phenomena, explaining the interconnectedness of existence.[12]

The concept of Dependent arising in scientific sources

Science Books

Dependent arising, in this context, highlights that worldly names and concepts arise from causes and conditions, embodying emptiness. These names act as tools for understanding concepts beyond the material world.

Significance in Religious Studies:
Religion Books

From: Religions Journal (MDPI)

(1) Dependent arising implies no self, and one might be tempted to think that this deterministic view may cancel out the free will problem for Buddhism altogether, impacting the understanding of kamma.[13] (2) In the same sense that this, or causes and conditions, embody emptiness, worldly names based on causes and conditions are like the traces which can “serve as a skillful means of understanding the names that lead beyond the world”.[14]