The Doctrine Of Paticcasamuppada (The Law of Dependent Orgination)

[Originally published in 1966]

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.

In the Law of Dependent Origination there are twelve links which show the process of arising of a sentient being from one phenomenon to another in an endless chain of Samsara.

Although it starts with Avijja, it is to be noted that Avijja is not the first cause because Samsara is beginningless; the origin of beings revolving in Samsara, being cloaked by Avijja (Ignorance) cannot be discovered. Paticcasamuppada teaches the cycle of rebirth, the cause is both the cause and effect alternately or to be more precise the cause becomes the effect and the effect in turn becomes the cause in the universe of space and time.