Exploring key concepts within Buddhism, particularly focusing on the cycle of suffering and its underlying causes
Two Roots (of the past)
Avijjā (Ignorance):
A lack of understanding of reality, leading to clinging and suffering.
Tanhã (Craving):
The desire for things to be different than they are, fueled by ignorance. These two together create the foundation for the cycle of rebirth and suffering.
Two Truths:
Samudaya Sacca (Arising Truth):
The truth of the arising of suffering, caused by craving and ignorance.
1st & 2nd segment:
Refers to the arising of suffering in the past, influenced by avijjā and tanhã.
3rd & 4th segment:
Refers to the arising of suffering in the present, influenced by avijjā and tanhã.
Dukkha Sacca (Truth of Suffering):
The truth of the nature of suffering itself, which is inherent to existence.
Four Layers:
Past Causal Layer:
The actions and intentions (karma) from the past that shape the present.
Present Resultant Layer:
The present experiences arising from past karma.
Present Causal Layer:
The actions and intentions of the present, shaping the future.
Future Resultant Layer:
The future experiences resulting from current actions.
Twelve Factors:
Avijjā (Ignorance):
The root of all suffering.
Sankhāra (Kammic Formation):
The volitional actions motivated by ignorance and craving.
Viññana (Rebirth Consciousness):
The consciousness that arises from karma and leads to rebirth.
Nama-rupa (Mind and Matter):
The physical and mental components of a being.
Salāyatana (Six Sense Bases):
The six senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and mind).
Phassa (Contact):
The interaction between the sense bases and their objects.
Vedanā (Feeling):
The experience of pleasure, pain, or neutrality arising from contact.
Tanhã (Craving):
The desire for things to be different, fuelled by feeling.
Upādāna (Clinging):
The attachment to things, thoughts, or ideas, fueled by craving.
Kamma-bhava (Becoming):
The process of becoming a new being, influenced by karma.
Jāti (Rebirth):
The actual act of being reborn.
Jarā-marana (Decay and Death):
The aging and eventual death of the being.
Main Factors:
* This simply refers to all twelve factors listed above, highlighting that they are interconnected and contribute to the cycle of suffering.
Three Links:
* This refers to the specific connections between three pairs of factors within the twelve-factor chain:
Sankhara (kammic formation) & Viññāṇa (consciousness):
Karma directly influences the type of consciousness that arises at rebirth.
Vedanā (feeling) & Tanhã (craving):
Pleasant feelings often fuel craving, while unpleasant feelings can lead to aversion, both driving the cycle.
Kamma-bhava (becoming) & Jāti (rebirth):
The process of becoming a new being ultimately results in rebirth.
Two Roots (in the present):
Tanhã (Craving):
The desire that drives suffering in the current moment.
Avijjā (Ignorance):
The lack of understanding that fuels craving in the present.
Three Rounds (Vatta):
Kilesa Vatta (Round of Defilements):
The cycle of negative mental states like greed, hatred, and delusion.
Kamma Vatta (Round of Kamma):
The cycle of actions driven by defilements, creating new karma.
Vipāka Vatta (Round of Resultant):
The cycle of experiencing the results of karma, leading to further suffering and rebirth.
Three Periods (Kāla):
Past: The time that has already passed.
Present: The time that is currently happening.
Future:The time that is yet to come.
Twenty Modes:
* This refers to a detailed breakdown of the four layers (past causal, present resultant, present causal, and future resultant) and how they operate in different ways:
Five Past Causal Modes:
The five types of actions and intentions from the past that influence the present.
Five Present Resultant Modes:
The five ways in which past karma manifests in the present.
Five Present Causal Modes:
The five types of actions and intentions in the present that influence the future.
Five Future Resultant Modes:
The five ways in which present karma will manifest in the future.
Trying to understand and accepting the
truth of pațiccasamuppāda will deliver one to
freedom from samsara.
