Samyukta Agama (285) Part 2

(2) Original Text: Moreover, I had this thought: 'What, again, is the cause of clinging? Due to the existence of what does clinging exist? Conditioned by what does clinging arise?' Then, through proper contemplation, knowledge arose continuously and directly, as it really is: 'Clinging exists because of tasting, relishing, being mentally bound by, and cherishing mental preoccupations regarding phenomena. With the existence of craving, clinging exists. Craving is the condition for clinging. Clinging conditions becoming. Becoming conditions birth. Birth conditions aging, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair. Thus indeed is the arising of this entire mass of suffering.'

Explanation: The Buddha said: I then gave rise to another doubt—what is the cause for the clinging to the five aggregates? Due to the existence of what phenomenon does clinging exist? Conditioned by what phenomenon does clinging arise? After giving rise to this thought, I immediately entered into proper contemplation. Then arose continuous, direct wisdom, realizing that the reason there is clinging is due to greed and attachment to the phenomena of the world of the five aggregates. The mind constantly lingers on phenomena, thus becoming bound by them. Craving and desire for the phenomena of the world of the five aggregates will continuously increase. Because craving exists, clinging exists. Due to craving, clinging arises. Clinging conditions becoming (existence in the three realms). Because there is existence in the three realms, sentient beings are born within them. Once born, they undergo aging, sickness, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair. Thus, immense suffering accumulates.

This passage indicates that craving and desire are the direct root cause of the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death. Therefore, craving is suffering, not happiness; it is the cause of suffering, not the cause of happiness. Sentient beings are deluded, unaware of this truth. They crave everywhere, clinging and clinging without letting go, never having deeply contemplated in meditation: What in this world is truly worth craving for? What is the result of such craving? Is there any happiness to be gained? What is the true nature of craving? What, ultimately, is worth clinging to so persistently and grasping so relentlessly?

If the causes and conditions are sufficient, dwelling alone in a quiet place, carefully, meticulously, and calmly observing all phenomena and all mental formations, one will directly know, as it really is, that there is truly nothing in all phenomena worth craving for. All desires are insubstantial and are themselves suffering. Fundamentally, there is no world, nor is there any 'worldly existence'. Thus, the mind becomes empty. When the mind is empty, suffering ceases. Happiness is then attained, and liberation is achieved. The key is to courageously trace back to the source, investigating link by link, deeply inquiring into what mind and phenomena really are, what they consist of. Ultimately, one will discover that mind and phenomena are nothing at all, they have no inherent existence. Then, worldly affairs will be resolved, and one will attain liberation and freedom.