In the cycle of dependent origination, becoming (bhava) is the tenth link, and it marks a critical turning point in the perpetual wheel of suffering. Becoming refers to the process of taking rebirth in a new existence, fueled by the accumulated karma from our previous actions. This link is often misunderstood as simply meaning "being" or "existence," but it's more nuanced than that. Becoming is the act of creating a new persona, a new identity, and a new set of circumstances, all rooted in our deep-seated ignorance and craving.
Imagine a rolling wheel, where each rotation represents a new birth, and with each turn, we're reborn into a new reality, shaped by our past deeds. This cycle of birth and death is not just physical, but also psychological and emotional. We're reborn into new patterns of thought, new emotions, and new experiences, all of which are influenced by our previous actions. The cycle is relentless, and it's driven by our inability to see things as they truly are.
Becoming is the manifestation of our ignorance, where we mistake the impermanent and ephemeral for the permanent and real. We cling to things that are inherently transient, and in doing so, we create a new reality that's bound to bring suffering. This cycle is not just individual, but also collective, as we're all interconnected and influencing each other's becoming. The cycle of becoming is the engine that drives the wheel of life, and it's only by understanding and breaking free from this cycle that we can find true liberation.
The Author
Bhikkhu Indasoma Siridantamahāpālaka
From the Book of Patịccasamuppāda (Law of Dependent Origination)
