Paticcasamuppada, 7 Definition(s)

See dependent arising.

Dependent origination. The twelve stage process that leads from ignorance to rebirth.

The doctrine of pratityasamutpada, often translated as "dependent arising," is an important part of Buddhist phenomenology and, some argue, metaphysics. Common to all schools of Buddhism, it states that phenomena arise together in a mutually interdependent web of cause and effect. It is variously rendered into English as "dependent origination", "conditioned genesis", "dependent co arising", "interdependent arising", or "contingency".

(Sanskrit; Pali: paticcasamuppada; Tibetan: rten.cing.brel.bar.byung.ba;)

Conditioned production of the twelve interdependent causes. It is the explanation of the anatta process, it rules over the appearance and disappearance of each phenomenon.

See also: paticca samuppada

'dependent origination', is the doctrine of the conditionality of all physical and psychical phenomena, a doctrine which, together with that of impersonality (anattā), forms the indispensable condition for the real understanding and realization of the teaching of the Buddha. It shows the conditionality and dependent nature of that uninterrupted flux of manifold physical and psychical phenomena of existence conventionally called the ego, or man, or animal, etc.

Whereas the doctrine of impersonality, or anattā, proceeds analytically, by splitting existence up into the ultimate constituent parts, into mere empty, unsubstantial phenomena or elements, the doctrine of dependent origination, on the other hand, proceeds synthetically, by showing that all these phenomena are, in some way or other, conditionally related with each other. In fact, the entire Abhidhamma Pitaka, as a whole, treats really of nothing but just these two doctrines: phenomenality - implying impersonality and conditionality of all existence. The former or analytical method is applied in Dhammasangani, the first book of the Abhidhamma Pitaka; the latter or synthetical method, in Patthāna, the last book of the Abhidhamma Pitaka. For a synopsis of these two works, s. Guide I and VII.

Though this subject has been very frequently treated by Western authors, by far most of them have completely misunderstood the true meaning and purpose of the doctrine of dependent origination, and even the 12 terms themselves have often been rendered wrongly.

• 1. Avijiā-paccayā sankhārā: "Through ignorance are conditioned the sankhāras," i.e. the rebirth-producing volitions (cetanā), or 'karma-formations' .
• 2. Sankhāra-paccayā viññānam: "Through the karma-formations (in the past life) is conditioned consciousness (in the present life)."
• 3. Viññāna-paccayā nāma-rūpam: "Through consciousness are conditioned the mental and physical phenomena (nāma-rūpa)," i.e. that which makes up our so-called individual existence.
• 4. Nāma-rūpa-paccayā salāyatanam: "Through the mental and physical phenomena are conditioned the 6 bases," i.e. the 5 physical sense-organs, and consciousness as the sixth.
• 5. Salāyatana-paccayā phasso: "Through the six bases is conditioned the (sensorial mental) impression."
• 6. Phassa-paccayā vedanā: "Through the impression is conditioned feeling."
• 7. Vedanā-paccayā tanhā: "Through feeling is conditioned craving."
• 8. Tanhā-paccayā upādānam: "Through craving is conditioned clinging."
• 9. Upādāna-paccayā bhavo: "Through clinging is conditioned the process of becoming," consisting in the active and the passive life process, i.e. the rebirth-producing karma-process (kamma-bhava) and, as its result, the rebirth-process (upapatti-bhava).
• 10. Bhava-paccayā jāti: "Through the (rebirth-producing karma-) process of becoming is conditioned rebirth."
• 11. Jāti-paccayā jarāmaranam, etc.: "Through rebirth are conditioned old age and death (sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair). Thus arises this whole mass of suffering again in the future."

The following diagram shows the relationship of dependence between three successive lives:

PAST

• 1 Ignorance (avijjā)
• 2 Karma-formations (sankhārā)

PRESENT

• 3 Consciousness (viññāna)
• 4 Mind & Matter (nāma-rūpa)
• 5 Six Bases (āyatana)
• 6 Impression (phassa)
• 7 Feeling (vedanā)

Rebirth-Process (upapattibhava)

5 results: 3-7

• 8 Craving (tanhā)
• 10 Process of Becoming (bhava)

FUTURE

• 11 Rebirth (jāti)
• 12 Old Age and Death (jarā-marana)

Before taking up the study of the following exposition, it is suggested that the reader first goes thoroughly through the article on the 24 conditions (s. paccaya). For a thorough understanding of the paticcasamuppāda he should know the main modes of conditioning, as decisive support, co-nascence, pre-nascence, etc.

For a closer study of the subject should be consulted:

• Vis.M. XVII;
• Fund. III;
• Guide (Ch. VII and Appendix);
• Dependent Origination, by Piyadassi Thera (WHEEL 15);
• The Significance of Dependent Origination (WHEEL 140).

Paticcasamuppada is Pali language, a combination of three words, i.e. Patticca means because" and "dependent upon." Sam means well, Uppada means arising of effect through cause, so dependent on cause there arises effect, hence it is known in English as Law of Dependent Origination or Cycle of Rebirth.

Paticcasamuppada is Pali language, a combination of three words, i.e. Patticca means because" and "dependent upon." Sam means well, Uppada means arising of effect through cause, so dependent on cause there arises effect, hence it is known in English as Law of Dependent Origination or Cycle of Rebirth.