Introduction
As the
Buddha taught, life is a web of cause and effect. Although the beginning or end
of this process cannot be found, its working law is laid out with perfect
clarity. In the Anguttara Nikaya’s Avijja Sutta (AN 10.61) and
Tanha Sutta (AN 10.62), the Buddha provides a profound
roadmap that directly connects the root cause of suffering to its end. This
blog post will explore these interconnected teachings and their powerful
relevance to our lives. The Yamakavagga
(Twin Section) of the Aṅguttara Nikāya contains one of the most
profound explanations of conditional causation in Buddhism.
Here, the Buddha reveals how ignorance
(avijjā) and craving
(taṇhā) arise, and how through the
right conditions, they can be transformed into knowledge and liberation (vijjā-vimutti).
Introduction
A river flowing down into the sea:
The Buddha stated that the first point
of ignorance (avijja) cannot be found. However, it does not arise without a
cause. Ignorance has causes. It does not exist without. Its emergence depends
on it, just as raindrops falling on a mountain peak eventually become a river
and feed the great ocean.
1. Association
with Bad People: Keeping
company with the foolish and unvirtuous.
2. Listening
to Wrong Teachings: Exposure
to incorrect, un-Dhamma views.
3. Lack
of Faith (Saddhā): Absence
of confidence in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
4. Unwise
Attention (Ayoniso Manasikāra): Attending to things in the wrong
way—seeing permanence in the impermanent, pleasure in suffering, and a self in
what is not-self.
5. Lack
of Mindfulness (Asati): Heedlessness; failure to be fully aware in the
present moment.
6. Lack
of Sense Restraint: Allowing
the senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind) to roam freely without guard.
7. The
Three Misconducts: Unwholesome
bodily, verbal, and mental actions.
8. The
Five Hindrances: Sensory
desire, ill-will, sloth-torpor, restlessness-worry, and doubt.
9. Ignorance
(Avijjā): Not
knowing the Four Noble Truths and the true nature of reality.
This reveals that ignorance does not arise independently; it is sustained by other conditions — namely, the Five Hindrances (pañca nīvaraṇa), which in turn arise from unwholesome conduct and unrestrained faculties.
The unwholesome causal chain runs as
follows:
Unwholesome Chain (Path of Ignorance):
👉 Association with the unwise →
Listening to wrong teachings → Lack of faith → Unwise attention → Lack of
mindfulness → Unrestrained faculties → Three misdeeds → Five hindrances →
Ignorance
This sequence fortifies ignorance, which
in turn becomes a condition for Craving (Taṇhā), thus perpetuating the cycle of
suffering (Saṃsāra).
The
Spiral Upwards: The Chain of Dependent Liberation
In a brilliant exposition, the Buddha
then outlines the reverse sequence—the path that leads to knowledge (ñāṇa) and
final liberation (vimutti).
1. Association
with Good People (Kalyāṇamittatā): Keeping company with the wise and
virtuous. This is the foundation for the entire path.
2. Listening
to the True Dhamma: Exposure
to correct, liberating teachings.
3. Faith
(Saddhā): Inspired
confidence and trust in the Triple Gem.
4. Wise
Attention (Yoniso Manasikāra): Attending to things in the right
way—seeing impermanence in the impermanent, suffering in what is
unsatisfactory, and not-self in phenomena.
5. Mindfulness
(Sati): Establishing
alert, moment-to-moment awareness.
6. Sense
Restraint: Guarding
the sense doors, bringing wisdom to sensory contact.
7. The
Three Good Conducts: Cultivating
purity in body, speech, and mind.
8. The
Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna): The sustained
meditation on body, feelings, mind, and mental objects.
9. The
Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Bojjhaṅga): The cultivation of mindfulness,
investigation-of-states, energy, rapture, tranquility, concentration, and
equanimity.
10.Knowledge
& Liberation (Ñāṇa & Vimutti): The arising of true wisdom and the
ultimate release of the mind.
Just as raindrops gather to form streams
that become rivers and finally merge into the ocean, these factors, cultivated
in sequence, culminate in the great ocean of Nibbāna.
Conclusion: Making it Relevant to Your Life
The practical message of these suttas is
profound. The root of our discontent lies not "out there" in the
world, but in the quality of our internal habits and conditions. Our social
circles, the media we consume, our beliefs, and our daily patterns of thinking
either feed ignorance or nurture wisdom.
Therefore, seek out virtuous friends.
Study the true Dhamma. Make an effort to look at your life experiences with
"wise attention." Cultivate mindfulness in every action. By
consciously walking this path, we can break the chain of suffering and move,
step by step, from ignorance to unshakable freedom.
May this Dhamma
teaching be for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of all beings! By the power
of this truth, may there be boundless merits and blessings for all!
Please
leave a comment, as your feedback is very helpful in shaping our articles.
Also, please support us by following our blog.
References
1. Aṅguttara Nikāya (AN 10.61–64), Yamakavagga, Buddhist Publication Society, BPS.lk
2. Bhikkhu Bodhi (Trans.), The Numerical Discourses of the Buddha, Wisdom Publications.
3. Buddha Jayanthi Tipitaka, Vol. 20.
0 Comments
Post a Comment