Pratitya Samutpada (Paṭiccasamuppāda): The Principle of Conditioned Co-production
Pratitya Samutpada, or Dependent Origination, is a fundamental concept in Buddhism that explains the interconnectedness of all phenomena and the arising and cessation of suffering (dukkha). It is illustrated through a twelve-link chain, each link leading to the next in a cycle of birth, suffering, and rebirth. The first link, Ignorance (Avidyā), represents a fundamental misunderstanding of reality, including misconceptions about existence, karma, and the nature of suffering.
This ignorance leads to the creation of Predispositions (Saṃskāra), which are mental formations arising from ignorance, driving actions that shape future experiences. Consciousness (Viññāna) follows, referring to awareness arising from sensory and mental experiences, influenced by previous actions. It includes six types: eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and intellect consciousness. Name and Form (Nāmarūpa) represent the early developmental stage of a being, combining physical form (the body) and mental aspects (sensations, perceptions, thoughts, and awareness). This stage occurs when consciousness joins an embryo, initiating the development of the five aggregates.
The six sense organs (Ṣaḍāyatana) evolve next, encompassing the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin, and mind. Each sense organ interacts with specific objects, leading to corresponding types of consciousness. Contact (Sparśa) occurs when the sense organs come into contact with external objects, involving an outer object, an inner sense organ, and a moment of consciousness. This contact forms the basis for subsequent perception and experience. Through this detailed twelve-link chain, Buddhism explains the process of conditioned co-production, illustrating how ignorance leads to a cycle of birth, suffering, and rebirth, and how understanding this process can lead to the cessation of suffering.
Link to the Class: https://youtu.be/LysCnVMsiNE
Link for PPT: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FDzB65-dQVkUdZIMjd5qNCjgSw9iypqf/view?usp=sharing
I find that the interconnectedness of Pratitya Samutpada is unique. One leads to the other thus making it a process that leads to the cessation of suffering
ReplyDeleteThe principle of conditioned co-production has twelve elements which involves indepth purification of a person to end suffering and attain liberation. These 12 elements liberates a person and leads him to enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteI find that the twelve-link chain describes the entirety of human life, enhancing self-awareness, which Khalil Gibran refers to as the mother of knowledge, and ultimately leading to enlightenment.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to know the pratiya Samutpada concept of Buddhism. Following the sequence and chronological of it, leads to ultimate liberation form suffering. I find each step very unique and also resulting it's effect vividly.
ReplyDeleteIgnorance is the root of all the suffering. The twelve link chain explains this as the chain of correspondence leading to the re - birth of the self. Thus Buddhism explains the interconnectedness of the senses with the understanding behind the senses.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of God is very unique in Buddhism. The concept of refutation of a punitive god, enlightenment and liberation are pro human concept to relate with the supreme being one who has created us. This shows the love of a supreme power.
ReplyDeleteThe topic consciousness was an very fascinating I found .The consciousness of ear ,eyes ,nose ,tongue,boy and the intellect topic we had class was and eye opening. For me .It is complicated to become aware of all these consciousness. But on the other hand it is must required for self awareness and concentration.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Pratitya Samutpada offers a profound explanation of how interconnected phenomena perpetuate the cycle of suffering, with each link in the twelve-link chain highlighting the critical role of ignorance and its influence on consciousness and experience.
ReplyDeleteWhat really attracts me are the twelve-link chains, how they are connected to one another until rebirth. I came to know how ignorance leads us to suffering, how it leads us into a cycle of birth, suffering, and rebirth, and how understanding of the process can lead to a cessation of suffering..
ReplyDeleteAs rightly said ignorance is root of all suffering. Buddha explains the interconnectedness of Pratitya Samutpada that leads to twelve-links chain. the cycle of birth suffering and rebirth
ReplyDeleteIgnorance of what we think, say, and do could lead us to sin. Ignorance is the root cause of all evil. Ignorance can be removed through prayer, meditation, control over passion and desires, and proper guidance.
ReplyDeleteI like the point that ignorance leads to predispositions
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Buddha for having such beautiful world view towards suffering and nicely he has linked everything into chain starting from the Ingnrence till the cessation of suffering.
ReplyDeleteThrough the principles of conditioned co - production I realised that everything has its own results leading from one to the another. Especially I learnt, how ignorance leads to the cycle of birth and rebirth through its interconnectedness of one action to the another. It is always good to uproot a tree that bears bad fruit than to cut it's branches.
ReplyDeleteDependent Origination (Pratitya Samutpada) illustrates the interconnectedness of all phenomena through a twelve-link chain, beginning with Ignorance (Avidyā). I understand that this chain explains how ignorance leads to suffering and rebirth. By grasping this process, I see that overcoming suffering and achieving liberation in Buddhism becomes possible.
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