There is no existing phenomenon that is not the effect of dependent origination. All phenomena arise dependent upon anumber of casual factors, called conditions. This is a very simple way to express the Law of Dependent Origination.

Dependent origination is essentially and primarily a teaching to understand suffering and cessation of suffering. It is not a description of the evolution of universe. The twelve links of dependent origination provide a detailed description on the problem of suffering and rebirth. They are:

1. Ignorance (µL ©ú ) is the condition for mental formation.

2. Mental formation (¦æ) is the condition for name and form

3. Consciousness (ÃÑ) is the condition for consciousness

4. Name and form (¦W ¦â) is the condition for the six senses.

5. The six senses (¤» ®Ú) are the conditions for contact

6. Contact (IJ) is the condition for feeling

7. Sensation (feeling) (¨ü) is the condition for craving.

8. Craving (·R) is the condition for clinging

9. Clinging (´±) is the condition for becoming.

10. Becoming (¦³) is the condition for birth.

11. Birth (¥Í) is the condition for aging and death.

12. Aging and death (¦Ñ ¦º) is the condition for ignorance.

All twelve links are inter-related and dependent on each other. Each one does not have its own nature. Thus there is no starting point nor ending point. They are cyclic phenomena. Each link is a cause on one hand, and an effect on the other.

Ignorance

Ignorance means the lack of right understanding. One is ignorant to take oneself as a real, independent, permanent entity of "I." We do not really understand what our lives are and what the universe is. That is why we are in trouble, in anger, in illusion, in anxiety, in fear, etc. If we understand more about the universe and our lives, then we will live in accordance with the way it goes (not against it). Then we will be happy, free and comfortable.

Ignorance is a condition for mental formation.

Mental Formation; Karma

Mental formation arises from ignorance. The mental impurities (the result of actions done in the previous lives) have resulted in the formulation of habitual energy and actions done in the present life which are generally liable to conform to the patterns established in previous lives. All are governed by the Law of Karma. That is why some people live better than the others in this world. Mental formation is a condition for consciousness.

Consciousness

Consciousness arises from mental formation. Literally, it means perceiving, comprehending, recognizing, differentiating, etc. Usually it is interpreted to be our mind. In the twelve links, mental formation is then condition for consciousness, as our personalities belong to our internal mind. Our personalities can only be realized upon:

(1) the subjective differentiating mind (consciousness) and

(2) the objective matter (name and form). Consciousness is a condition for name and form.

Name and Form

It is the combination of spirit and matter, mind and body. It refers to Five Aggregates, i.e. form, feeling, perception, mental formation and consciousness. Form has its colour and shape, and the other four do not. Therefore, they are called "name." Name and form is a condition for the six senses.

The Six Senses

The six senses arise from name and form. They are eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind. These six organs are the tools used to get in contact with the external objects and to be aware of the existence of an objective matter. They are also organs to express our characters and personalities. The six senses are the conditions for contact.

Contact

Contact arises from the six senses. It is the psychological process created by the six senses, the objects and the consciousness. Therefore contact is the condition for feeling. Without contact, we will have no feeling. It is the very first link where suffering begins.

Feeling

Feeling arises from contact. It is the feeling towards a matter. There are three kinds of feeling, namely, suffering, pleasure, no-suffering-no-pleasure. Feeling is a condition for craving.

Craving

Craving arises from contact. It is the sensuous desire, pursuit for pleasures, attachment to gain and fear of loss. Craving is a condition for clinging.

Clinging

Cling arises from craving. It is an attachment to a matter. We have the desire to keep it and possess it permanently. However, all phenomena are impermanent. We are bound to suffer because of our ignorance. Clinging is a condition for becoming.

Becoming

Becoming arises from clinging. It means to give birth, create and exist. Since we are so attached to all phenomena, including matter and self, we assume that there is an existence. However, the existence is void because it is not real. It is conditioned, impermanent and transient. Becoming is a condition for birth.

Birth

Birth arises from becoming. Birth implies life. It is an effect of all mental activities, which make the life to happen. Birth is a condition for old age and death.

Old Age and Death

Old age and death arises from birth. It is a life "cycle". Death is one of the greatest affliction and fear of the layman beings, but none of them is exempted from old age and dying. Death is a condition for ignorance.

Summary on The Twelve Links

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