Significance of Dependent Origination
Dependent Origination is a fundamental Buddhist concept that explains how all phenomena arise in dependence on conditions and causes, emphasizing the interconnectedness of existence. It illustrates the cause-and-effect relationships that shape reality and clarify how ignorance leads to suffering and rebirth. This teaching is pivotal across various Buddhist traditions, including Theravada and Mahayana, and informs practitioners about the nature of interdependence in existence. Ultimately, it highlights that nothing exists independently, reinforcing the importance of understanding this principle for enlightenment.
Synonyms: Dependent arising, Dependent co-arising, Interdependent origination, Conditioned genesis, Primal cause, Interdependent arising
In Dutch: Afhankelijke oorsprong; In Finnish: Riippuva alkuperä; In Spanish: Origen dependiente; In German: Abhängige Entstehung; In Portugese: Originação Dependente; In Italian: Originazione dipendente; In Polish: Zależne pochodzenie
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 Origination'
Dependent Origination in Buddhism illustrates that all phenomena arise from interconnected conditions, emphasizing the cyclic nature of existence. This principle highlights how ignorance leads to suffering and the continued cycle of rebirth.
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) The kinds of conditions will be explained in detail in the Description of Dependent Origination, as indicated in the provided text.[1] (2) A fundamental Buddhist principle explaining how all phenomena arise in dependence upon causes and conditions, central to the doctrine but often inadequately represented in dictionaries.[2] (3) The concept underlying how consciousness and materiality interrelate, particularly highlighted in the context of actualizing mental and physical phenomena.[3] (4) A principle explaining the interconnectedness of phenomena, showing how conditions lead to the emergence of states, both in reverse and direct order.[4] (5) The conceptual framework explaining how feelings arise based on contact and conditions, emphasizing interdependence.[5]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The provided text explains that cognition is the third link of the dependent origination.[6] (2) This refers to the concept where sankhara has the active aspect, forming, and signifies Kamma which is wholesome or unwholesome volitional activity of body, speech or mind.[7] (3) This refers to a key concept in the teaching, which explains how things arise and cease to exist based on causes and conditions.[8] (4) A fundamental concept in Buddhism that describes the interconnectedness of all phenomena and the process by which suffering originates and ceases.[9] (5) The Buddhist concept that all phenomena arise dependently and are interconnected, highlighting the causes of suffering.[10]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) This doctrine, when viewed across time, highlights the interconnectedness of various events, emphasizing the influence of the past, present, and future on an individual's existence.[11] (2) The principle explaining how all phenomena arise and cease in dependence upon preceding causes.[12] (3) Dependent origination is a fundamental Buddhist principle describing how all phenomena arise in dependence on conditions, illustrating the interconnectedness of existence.[13] (4) The chain of causation traced from old age and death back to their origins, highlighting how interconnected phenomena contribute to rebirth.[14] (5) The formula that consists of twelve links beginning with ignorance and ending in death, illustrating the process of cause and effect in existence.[15]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Dwelling on the twelve factors of the Doctrine of this is part of the purity of knowledge and insight into the right and wrong paths.[16] (2) Paticca-Samuppada illustrates the interdependent nature of all phenomena and their causal relationships.[17] (3) The doctrine consisting of twelve interdependent factors that explain the cycle of existence; it was contemplated by the Bodhisatta leading to his realizations.[18] (4) A key Buddhist principle that explains the interdependent nature of phenomena and the cyclic existence that arises from ignorance.[19] (5) A complex interrelation of processes that describes how various factors lead to existence and suffering, marked by a chain of twelve factors.[20]
From: Cetasikas
(1) A Buddhist doctrine explaining the chain of causation that leads to suffering, emphasizing the role of avijja (ignorance).[21] (2) The teaching explaining the conditionality of existence and the interrelatedness of phenomena with regard to suffering and rebirth.[22] (3) A fundamental principle in Buddhist philosophy that explains the interdependent nature of existence, outlining how different phenomena arise in a chain of causation.[23] (4) A fundamental Buddhist concept where craving and ignorance are seen as roots of the cycle of birth and death.[24] (5) The doctrine that explains the conditions for the continuation of the cycle of birth and death through twelve links, starting from ignorance.[25]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) The Buddhist principle that every phenomenon, including the 5 Aggregates, arises due to a web of conditions and generates further phenomena.[26] (2) A key Buddhist concept describing how things arise and fall away based on conditions, emphasizing the interconnected nature of existence.[27] (3) The Buddhist principle that all phenomena arise dependent on conditions, illustrating the interconnectedness of all aspects of existence.[28] (4) The Buddhist principle explaining how all phenomena arise dependent on conditions and causes, forming a chain of causation.[29]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) Dependent Origination is a key principle analyzed in the Bahudhatuka Sutta, illustrating the interconnectedness of all phenomena and the causal relationships that govern existence and the arising of suffering.[30] (2) A principle explaining the conditional nature of existence, highlighted by the phrases related to arising and ceasing.[31] (3) Also referred to as Paticcasamuppada, this is a doctrine that explains the law of conditionality that consists of twelve factors contributing to existence and suffering.[32] (4) A fundamental Buddhist doctrine discovered by the Buddha that explains the interdependent nature of existence and how suffering arises.[33]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) A key teaching in Buddhism highlighting the interdependent nature of phenomena, where feelings condition craving.[34] (2) A fundamental Buddhist principle stating that all phenomena arise due to specific conditions and interdependent causes.[35]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) The Law of Dependent Origination receives a brief exposition in the Abhidhammattha Sangaha, followed by a descriptive account of the Causal Relations.[36] (2) This is the arising because of, on account of; samuppada = arising, origination. Although the literal meaning of the term is 'arising because of' or dependent arising or origination.[37]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) The Law of Dependent Origination, or Paticcasamuppada, is not grasped in a comprehensive manner by worldlings because of the concealing action of anusaya moha, the latent delusion present in the mind.[38]
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) The doctrine that states all phenomena arise in dependence on conditions and causes, laying out how suffering comes to be.[39]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Dependent origination is a concept in which the bodhisattvas were skilled in teaching, highlighting their understanding of the interconnectedness of all phenomena.[40] (2) Dependent origination is considered by the pratyekabuddhas, who are completely disgusted by old age, sickness, and death, as they seek to save a few beings.[41] (3) The principle that all phenomena arise in dependence upon conditions and causes, a key aspect in understanding the nature of dharmas.[42] (4) The fact that ‘this being, that is; from the production of this, that is produced’, illustrating how formation arises from ignorance.[43] (5) The doctrine that states all phenomena arise dependent on conditions and causes, leading to the concept of pratityasamutpada.[44]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) This is an entrance by thorough mental effort, indicating the importance of understanding interconnectedness for gaining the insight and wisdom.[45] (2) This is a principle, and morality should not be in disaccord with this concept, as it describes how things come into existence.[46] (3) Not being in contradiction with dependent origination is one of the four lights of insight that augment the bodhisattvas’ accumulation of knowledge.[47] (4) This refers to the understanding of all things arising from causes and conditions, which is a practice and is part of the bodhisattva's path.[48] (5) The principle that all phenomena arise in dependence upon other phenomena, emphasizing the interconnectedness of existence.[49]
From: Abhidharmakośa
(1) Pratityasamutpada, or dependent origination, consists of twelve parts in three sections that illustrate how phenomena arise and exist.[50]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) A fundamental Buddhist doctrine explaining the interdependence of phenomena, referenced by the Dharmasvamin of ‘bri khung in response to criticism.[51] (2) A doctrine related to the interconnectedness of phenomena, which the Dharmasvamin grasped fully.[52] (3) A Buddhist concept that describes how all phenomena arise in dependence upon various conditions.[53] (4) A fundamental Buddhist concept explaining how phenomena arise and cease dependent on various conditions, emphasizing interconnectedness.[54] (5) A fundamental Buddhist concept realized by Dbon sher 'byung through his experiences and challenges, reflecting his deep understanding of interdependent phenomena.[55]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) The understanding of how phenomena arise in dependence upon conditions, which the prince realized leading to his enlightenment.[56] (2) A concept referred to in the king's reflective thoughts, indicating a philosophy of cause and effect, examined deeply by the king in relation to his son's death.[57]
From: Hualin International Journal of Buddhist Studies
(1) The mechanism that accounts for the arising and cessation of phenomena, and is identified with emptiness, and is central to Nagarjuna's thought.[58]
The concept of Dependent Origination in local and regional sources
Dependent Origination is a fundamental Buddhist doctrine describing the interdependent nature of existence, where phenomena arise from specific conditions. It is often illustrated by the metaphor of a circle or wheel, linking it to the cycle of rebirth.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The Buddhist theory explaining how all phenomena arise in dependence upon conditions and causes, encapsulated in the metaphor of a wheel.[59] (2) A concept Buddha contemplated upon, referring to the interdependent nature of existence and the fact that phenomena arise in reliance on conditions.[60]
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) This is a key Buddhist doctrine, illustrated by the properties of a circle, and linked with the concept of the cycle of rebirth.[61]
The concept of Dependent Origination in scientific sources
Dependent Origination, a core Buddhist principle, explains that all phenomena arise interdependently, contingent on various factors and conditions, highlighting interconnectedness.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Early Buddhist theory goes beyond the commonsense notion of causation, and recognizes a system whose parts are mutually dependent, which has been termed as it.[62] (2) The text explains that a cognitive chain of dependent origination leads to views and desires, as pleasure and pain emerge from contact, which generates possession.[63] (3) The doctrine of dependent origination is often interpreted as suggesting a deterministic worldview, creating a tension with the doctrine of kamma and the concept of free will.[64] (4) Dependent origination, also known as pratiyasamutpada, suggests the interdependence of self, other, and environment within conditions as they unfold, according to Diehm's interpretation of Naess's invocation of gestalt theory.[65] (5) Sengzhao employed the concept of “emptiness” (kong 空 ) to illustrate the de‑ pendent origination and inherent emptiness of the world that lies “between existence and.[66]
From: Sustainability Journal (MDPI)
(1) It is a working synonym for interdependence, a very different idea than the interconnectedness of all things in authentic Buddhist traditions.[67]