Samyukta Agama, Volume 12: The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination (Part 1)

(283) Original text: Thus have I heard. At one time, the Buddha was dwelling in Śrāvastī, in the Jeta Grove, the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍada. At that time, the World-Honored One addressed the bhikṣus, saying: "If, regarding phenomena bound by fetters, one follows the arising of relishing and attachment, with the mind dwelling on and bound by them, then craving arises. With craving as condition, clinging arises. With clinging as condition, becoming arises. With becoming as condition, birth arises. With birth as condition, aging, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair arise. Thus indeed is the arising of this entire mass of suffering."

Explanation: While expounding the Dharma of Dependent Origination during an assembly in Śrāvastī, in the Jeta Grove, the Garden of Anāthapiṇḍada, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus: If you, regarding phenomena (such as the objects of the six senses) bound by the fetters of afflictions within your minds, follow those afflictive fetters and give rise to fondness, greed, and attachment, constantly thinking of and dwelling upon those phenomena bound by fetters, then the mind becomes tightly bound by these phenomena, unable to be freed. When the mind relishes and clings, continuously thinking and craving, craving arises. Because there is craving for the phenomena bound by afflictive fetters, the mind grasps and clings, seizing and refusing to let go. Due to this clinging and refusal to relinquish, the mind inevitably remains bound to these phenomena, storing seeds for future existences; thus, the five aggregates of the future world are certain to arise. When the seeds of future existences mature, the body of the five aggregates will be reborn, inseparable from these phenomena. With birth, aging, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair will accompany the body of the five aggregates. Thus, the immeasurable great suffering of birth and death once again accumulates.

'Fetters' (結) means bonds, afflictions, bindings, confinement within the mind. There are nine kinds of fetters: the fetter of craving, the fetter of hatred, the fetter of delusion, the fetter of envy, the fetter of self-view, the fetter of clinging, the fetter of doubt, the fetter of stinginess, and the fetter of conceit. Where do these fetters bind oneself? They bind one within the cycle of rebirth in the Three Realms and Six Destinies. What are the 'phenomena bound by fetters'? They are the objects of the six senses, the worldly phenomena of the Three Realms. What does 'follow the arising of relishing' (隨生味着) mean? It means considering worldly, mundane phenomena to be delightful and satisfying, capable of fulfilling one's greed and other afflictions, so that the mind yearns for them and then gives rise to dwelling upon them. What does 'dwelling upon' (顧念) mean? It means the mind constantly thinks of, longs for, hopes for, and desires to obtain them, leading to continuous grasping.

What is 'the mind bound' (心缚)? It means the mind is entangled, bound, and fettered by these phenomena. Once bound, the mind gives rise to craving and other afflictions. What manifestation arises after craving is produced? Clinging, grasping, cherishing, and refusing to relinquish greed. Who is grasping whom? Who is binding whom? Outwardly, it is one's own mind that grasps and clings to the phenomena of the six sense objects; in reality, it is the mind that is grasped and bound by the phenomena of the six sense objects. Therefore, the most severe consequence of the mind being bound is clinging, storing karmic seeds, and giving rise to the phenomena of the Three Realms in future existences.

If a bhikṣu or any practitioner, regarding the fetters of birth and death that can bind the mind, follows those fetters and gives rise to craving, considering the phenomena bound by these fetters to be delightful, enjoyable, and comfortable, and constantly thinks of these phenomena, then the mind will be bound by these fetters. In this way, craving will arise. Once craving arises, the mind gives rise to an attitude of clinging, and then seizes these fetters. As long as sentient beings have clinging in their minds, the conditions for rebirth in future existences, or the causes and conditions, or the seeds, are formed. Once the seeds for future rebirth are formed, when the causes and conditions ripen or the seeds mature, a living being will be born. After the birth of a living being, aging, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair will accompany that living being. What are the causal conditions for rebirth in future existences? They are the phenomena of the Three Realms: the realm of desire, the realm of form, and the formless realm.

After craving arises, one grasps and possesses. After grasping, the 'becoming' (有) of the Three Realms arises, the conditions for future existence are established, the phenomena of the Three Realms will arise, and life will be born within them. After birth, aging, death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, and despair will follow. Thus, the entire mass of great suffering arises. If craving and other afflictions are extinguished, the mental fetters are undone, there are no more bindings, and one is no longer bound by the five desires and six sense objects of the Three Realms. In this way, the mind is liberated.