There is no existing phenomenon that is not the effect of dependent origination. All phenomena arise dependent upon a number of causal factors, called conditions. The basic principle of dependent origination is simplicity itself. The Buddha described it by saying:
When there is this, that is.
With the arising of this, that arises.
When this is not, neither is that.
With the cessation of this, that ceases.
Dependent origination is essentially and primarily a teaching to understand suffering and the cessation of suffering. The twelve links of dependent origination provide a detailed description of the causes of suffering and rebirth. They are:
- Ignorance is the condition for mental formations.
- Mental formations are the conditions for consciousness.
- Consciousness is the condition for name and form.
- Name and form are the conditions for the six senses.
- The six senses are the conditions for contact.
- Contact is the condition for feeling.
- Feeling (sensation) is the condition for craving.
- Craving is the condition for clinging.
- Clinging is the condition for becoming.
- Becoming is the condition for birth.
- Birth is the condition for aging and death.
- Aging and death are the conditions for ignorance.
All twelve links are interrelated and dependent on each other; thus, there is no beginning or ending point. They are cyclic phenomena. Each link is a cause on the one hand, and an effect on the other.
Ignorance: Ignorance means the lack of right understanding. One is ignorant and takes oneself as real, independent, and a permanent entity or “I.” We do not understand who and what we are or what the universe is. Right understanding allows us to live in accordance with the way things are. Then one can live harmoniously. Ignorance is the condition for mental formations.
Mental Formations: Mental formations arise from ignorance. Mental impurities (the result of past actions of body, speech, and mind) give rise to habitual actions in the present life, which conform to the patterns established in the past (karma). This is why some people are born into more fortunate conditions than others. Mental formations are the conditions for consciousness.
Consciousness: Consciousness arises from mental formations. Literally, it means perceiving, comprehending, recognizing, differentiating, etc. Usually it is interpreted to be our mind. Consciousness is the condition for name and form.
Name and Form: Name and form arise from consciousness. They are the combination of mentality and corporeality (mind and body). Name and form refer to the Five Aggregates (i.e., form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness). Name and form are the conditions for the six senses.
The Six Senses: The six senses arise from name and form. They are eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind. Through these six organs contact with external objects is possible. The six senses are the conditions for contact.
Contact: Contact arises from the six senses. It is the experience created by the six senses, sense objects, and consciousness. Therefore contact is the condition for feeling. Without contact, there is no feeling. Suffering is dependent upon contact because it gives rise to feeling.
Feeling: Feeling arises from contact. It is the affective tone. There are three kinds of feelings, namely: pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral. Feeling is the condition for craving.
Craving: Craving arises from feeling. Craving is sensuous desire, the pursuit of pleasure, and the identification with attachment to gain and the fear of loss. Craving is the condition for clinging.
Clinging: Clinging arises from craving. Clinging is an attachment to objects. We have the desire to keep something, to possess it permanently. However, all phenomena are impermanent. Therefore we are bound to suffer because of our ignorance. Clinging is the condition for becoming.
Becoming: Becoming arises from clinging/grasping. Becoming means to give birth, create, and exist. Because of attachment to phenomena we assume that there is a self. However, this ‘self’ is conditioned and impermanent. Becoming is the condition for birth.
Birth: Birth arises from becoming. Birth refers to either physical birth or the moment-to-moment arising of renewed consciousness. Birth is the condition for old age and death.
Old Age and Death: Old age and death arise out of birth. Death is one of the greatest afflictions and fears of the untrained, undisciplined worldling. Aging and death are the conditions for ignorance.