Yogācārabhūmi Śāstra, Volume 10 (Twelve Links of Dependent Origination)

Original text:问。何因缘故。逆次第中。老死为先。说诸缘起。答。依止宣说。谛道理故。以生及老死。能显苦谛。如世尊言。新名色灭。为上首法。问。何故不言。诸无明灭为上首耶。答。依心解脱者。而施设故。由彼于现法中。种子苦。及当来苦果。不生而灭。故说名色为先。受为最后。得究竟灭。又于现法中。受诸受时。爱及随眠。永拔不起。说名为灭。由彼灭故。以彼为先。余支亦灭。如是等类。宣说缘起。次第应知。 

Explanation: Question: What causes and conditions lead to the fact that, in the reverse sequence of tracing the law of dependent origination, aging-and-death is taken first in expounding the twelve links of dependent origination? Answer: This is because it is based on the principle of the Four Noble Truths expounded by the World-Honored One, for birth and aging-and-death can reveal the truth of suffering, just as the World-Honored One said that the cessation of the new nāma-rūpa is the foremost dharma. 

Question: Why is it not said that the cessation of all ignorance is the foremost dharma? Answer: The cessation of ignorance as the foremost is established with reference to those whose minds are liberated, whereas the causes and conditions of the truth of suffering are established through the cessation of the aging-and-death of nāma-rūpa. Because, within presently existing dharmas, there is the suffering of seeds as well as future suffering-fruits, and these suffering-fruits cease without needing to arise, therefore the reverse sequence of the law of dependent origination takes nāma-rūpa first and feeling last, so that nāma-rūpa can cease ultimately. Furthermore, within presently existing dharmas, when experiencing the various feelings, craving and the underlying tendencies of craving can be permanently uprooted and never arise again—this is called cessation. Because of the cessation of craving, with craving as the first, the other links will subsequently cease as well. One who cultivates the law of dependent origination should understand the sequence of expounding dependent origination in this manner. 

Original text:问。何故缘起。说为缘起。答。由烦恼系缚。往诸趣中。数数生起故。名缘起。此依字释名。复次依托众缘。速谢灭已。续和合生。故名缘起。此依刹那义释。复次众缘过去。而不舍离。依自相续。而得生起故。名缘起。如说此有故彼有。此生故彼生非余。依此义故。释名应知。复次数数谢灭。复相续起故。名缘起。此依数坏数灭义释。复次于过去世觉缘性已。等相续起故。名缘起。如世尊言。我已觉悟。正起宣说。即由此名。展转传说。故名缘起。

Explanation: Question: Why is dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda) spoken of as dependent origination? Answer: Because, bound by the fetters of afflictions, one transmigrates to the various destinies and repeatedly gives rise to the five-aggregate body, it is called dependent origination; this is the naming based on the literal meaning of the words. Furthermore, the five-aggregate body relies on numerous causes and conditions, and after swiftly passing away and ceasing, it is born again through the continued conjunction of causes and conditions; therefore it is called dependent origination—this is the explanation of the name based on the meaning of the instant (kṣaṇa) of arising and ceasing. Furthermore, although the numerous causes and conditions have passed, the five-aggregate body does not abandon them, and it arises again relying on its own continuity of conditions; therefore it is called dependent origination. This is what is said: "When this exists, that exists; when this arises, that arises—and nothing else." One should know that the name is explained based on this meaning. 

Furthermore, the five-aggregate body ceases countless times and arises again in continuity countless times; this is called dependent origination—this is the explanation of the name based on the meaning of repeated destruction and repeated cessation of the five-aggregate body. Furthermore, in past lives, having awakened to the nature of the dependent origination of the world of the five aggregates, the characteristics of the five-aggregate body arise in equal continuity; therefore it is called dependent origination. Just as the World-Honored One said: "I have already awakened, and I rose upright to expound the law of dependent origination." It is precisely because of this name "dependent origination" that it is spoken of as dependent origination.