Ancient and Traditional, Yet Relevant Right Now
The map of dependent origination has evolved overtime to the list of 12 items detailed below as a
cycle. The Buddha's liberation was supported by inquiry into the links of dependencies, and
manifested in turning the circle back by releasing
the prior dependencies towards a particular sense of freedom.
Prior to the Buddha's conception of dependent origination the names of the links in the map were
being used to explain how a conscious living being comes out of the world. The Buddha took these
terms from this Vedic hymn of creation and
used them to pragmatically explain the arising of dukkha in the present human experience.
Regardless of the dependent origins of the map, and potential additional baggage it therefore
carries, the schema of dependent origination can be applied to the present moment in verifiable and
effective ways: We can immediately agree
that 'contact' with the world is not possible without 'a sense organ' present to feel it; and that a
'sense organ' in turn needs a 'mind and body'––'namarupa'; likewise, overtime it will be evident
that 'vedana'––the reactive classification
of phenomena according to the pleasure and pain they could give––is seen to be a necessary condition
for 'tanha'––the 'thirsting' for pleasure, and 'distaste' for pain––from which
'dukkha'––'stress'––dependently arises; furthermore
with sustained investigation borne of steadiness, the subtleties of underlying 'sankhara'––subtle
mental activities involved in the fabrication of experience––can be understood and shaped towards
truly profound freedom.
The whole process is represented quite impersonally by this map, aiding us to investigate experience
and cut through various levels of ignorance, such as our habitual self-cherishing perspective,
bringing more space, clarity, and wisdom
to our life and way of living in this moment. Counter-intuitively more spaciousness engenders more
intimacy than is available in being identified with or as the phenomena of life. This allows us to
uncover real lasting wellbeing and
freedom. All borne by understanding dependent origination, and developed into skilful involvement
with life.
Visit The Map of Dependent Origination to learn more about the links in the chain.
In Other Words
Dependent Origination is just one possible translation for the Pali word Paticcasamuppada
(Pratityasamutpada in Sanskrit)––a word that suggests an active sense of seeing into and
understanding. Let's take each part of the compounded terms
that 'make up' Pratityasamutpada separately: 'pratitya' can mean "based on" and 'samutpada', "coming
into being".
To give more shape to the meaning of this potentially complex phrase here are a few other common
interpretations:
- Dependent Co-arising
- Interdependent Arising
- Conditionality
- Contingency
- Everything Leans
It is also synonymous with Śūnyatā––Emptiness or Corelessness––and is related to the concept of
'Anattā'––Not-Self––because the sense of self dependently arises.
Verses on the Heart of Dependent Origination - by Ārya Nāgārjuna
Translated by Adam Pearcey, 2008
Verse 4
All beings consist of causes and effects,
In which there is no ‘sentient
being’ at all.
From phenomena which are exclusively empty,
There arise only empty phenomena.
All things are devoid of any ‘I’ or ‘mine’.
Verse 7
In this, there is not a thing to be removed,
Nor the slightest thing to be
added.
It is looking perfectly into reality itself,
And when reality is seen, complete liberation.
Read the rest of this sublime poem, and other wise quotations at Words of
the Awake.