Date: Sept 22/96

Dependent Arising

Whatever from a cause proceeds, thereof

The Tathagata explained the cause,

Its cessation too he has explained.

This is the teaching of the supreme Sage."

Vinaya.I, Mahavagga

(2) "When this exists, that comes to be;

with the arising of this, that arises.

When this does not exist, that does not come to be;

with the cessation of this, that ceases.

Namely: dependent on ignorance, of volitional

formations ... and so on ...

Thus is the ending of this whole mass of suffering."

-- Udana.1.

-- Majjhima.79/II, 32.

(3) "Deep indeed Ananda, is this Paticca-samuppada, and

deep goes it appear. It is through not understanding,

through not penetrating this doctrine,

that these beings have become entangled like a matted ball of

thread, become like munja grass and rushes, unable to

pass beyond the woeful states of existence and

samsara, the cycle of existence."

-- Maha Nidana Sutta D.15

(4) The Middle-Path:

- neither self-indulgence nor self-mortification

- neither eternal existence nor nihilistic non-existence