Yogācārabhūmi-śāstra, Volume 10: The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination

(5) Original Text: Question: For what reason are the links of existence such as ignorance stated in this sequence? Answer: All foolish beings first become ignorant regarding matters that should be known. Subsequently, they give rise to unwholesome actions regarding those matters. Due to unwholesome actions, the mind becomes inverted. Because the mind is inverted, there arises the binding continuity of rebirth. Due to the continuity of rebirth, the sense faculties become complete. Because the faculties are complete, there is the experiencing of objects through the two [aspects: the body as the retribution and the environment as the supporting condition]. Due to experiencing objects, there is either clinging or craving. Because of craving, when seeking everywhere, afflictions increase. Due to the increase of afflictions, actions leading to future existence, whether desirable or undesirable, are initiated. Due to the maturing power of the actions thus initiated, the suffering-result arises within the five destinies of rebirth. Once the suffering-result arises, there are sufferings such as aging and death—namely, the suffering of aging and death induced by the transformation of the inner body, and the suffering of sorrow, lamentation, and burning affliction induced by the transformation of external objects.

Explanation: Question: What causes the twelve links of existence in the twelvefold dependent origination, beginning with ignorance, to be arranged and expounded in this specific order? Answer: All foolish beings first become ignorant and fail to comprehend matters they should understand. Subsequently, they initiate unwholesome actions regarding those misunderstood matters. Because they perform unwholesome actions, their minds become inverted. Due to the inverted mind, afflictions bind them, causing the continuity of life. Because life continues, the six sense faculties become complete and fully endowed. Due to the completeness of the faculties, there is the experiencing of the environment through the retribution of the five aggregates (the body) and the supporting condition (the living environment). Having experienced the environment, they either become immersed in the experienced states or generate further craving. Because there is craving, afflictions increase during the process of seeking everywhere. Due to the increase of afflictions, actions leading to future existence in the three realms—whether desirable or undesirable—arise. Due to the maturing power of the actions performed, the suffering-result arises within the five destinies of rebirth. Once the suffering-result arises, there are sufferings such as birth, aging, sickness, and death—specifically, the suffering of aging and death caused by the transformation of the physical body, and the suffering of sorrow, lamentation, and burning affliction caused by the transformation of external conditions.

Original Text: Therefore, the World-Honored One expounded the twelve links in this sequence. There is also a distinction in the sequence: the sequential establishment of dependent origination is based on two kinds of conditions—the condition of the inner body and the condition of experiencing objects. The condition of the inner body comprises the first six links. The condition of experiencing objects comprises the latter six links. First, regarding the inner body, arises the ignorance of self-view, etc. Due to this, they fail to understand that the suffering-result, the maturation of all actions, is brought about. Thus, they initiate various actions. Once initiated, they then frequently give rise to mental deliberations in accordance with those actions. Due to actions being accompanied by consciousness, they can induce three kinds of future suffering-results: the suffering-result pertaining to the initial arising of the faculties, the suffering-result pertaining to the completeness of the faculties, and the suffering-result pertaining to the experiencing of objects. These are called, with name-and-form first and contact last.

Explanation: Therefore, the World-Honored One expounded the twelve links in this sequence. There is also a distinction in the sequence: the sequential establishment of dependent origination is based on two kinds of conditions—one is the condition of the inner body (the physical form), and the other is the condition of experiencing objects (the living environment). The condition of the inner body comprises the first six links: ignorance, volitional formations, consciousness, name-and-form, the six sense bases, and contact. The condition of experiencing objects comprises the latter six links: feeling, craving, clinging, becoming, birth, and aging-and-death. Sentient beings first give rise to ignorance such as self-view regarding the inner body. Because of self-view, they fail to understand that the five-aggregate body is brought about by all actions. Due to the suffering-result of actions maturing at different times and places, they initiate all kinds of actions. Once actions are initiated, they then continuously give rise to examination and deliberation in accordance with those actions. With the accompaniment of actions and consciousness as supporting conditions, they can induce three kinds of suffering-results in future lives: the suffering-result experienced during the initial arising of the five faculties in the mother's womb, the suffering-result experienced after the five faculties are complete and birth occurs, and the suffering-result experienced while experiencing objects. The conditions for the arising of these three suffering-results are first the presence of name-and-form, and finally the presence of contact, for the suffering-results to manifest.