Law of Dependent Origination - What Buddhists Believe?
The entire operating law of the human universe was summarized by Buddha in a succinct truth:
"If this exists, that exists; from the arising of this, that arises. If this does not exist, that does not exist; from the cessation of this, that ceases." This is the doctrine of dependent origination.
The law of dependent origination encompasses two aspects: arising and ceasing, occurring in multiple dimensions. The process of arising and ceasing, ceasing and arising, continues indefinitely from the beginningless to the endless time. It encompasses everything from the birth and decay of the physical body to the consciousness of individuals and all sentient beings, to the formation and destruction of the earth and the universe. The wisdom of the Buddha did not only discover this law but also demonstrated how to apply it so that people can liberate themselves from suffering and achieve happiness. This podcast episode will delve into the doctrine of dependent origination primarily through the Middle-Length Discourses.