Dīrgha Āgama, Volume 1: The Twelve Links of Dependent Origination

(3) Original Text: At that time, the Bodhisattva, having contemplated the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination in forward and reverse order, knew them as they truly are. Having seen them as they truly are, he then attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi right upon his seat. The Buddha then spoke this verse: "These words are spoken amidst the multitude; you all should listen well. The Bodhisattvas of the past contemplated the Dharma never heard before. From what cause does aging and death arise? Due to what does it exist? Having rightly contemplated thus, they knew it fundamentally arises from birth. From what cause does birth fundamentally arise? Due to what does it exist? Having contemplated thus, they knew birth arises from existence. Having grasped that grasping, existence becomes progressively reinforced. Therefore, the Tathāgata declares that grasping is the cause of existence."

Explanation: At that time, the Prince Bodhisattva, having contemplated the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination in both forward and reverse order, truly knew the Dharma of Dependent Origination and gave rise to correct seeing and correct wisdom as it truly is. Having witnessed the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination as they truly are, he then attained anuttara-samyak-sambodhi upon the Dharma seat. The Buddha then spoke this verse: "The Dharma I speak amidst the multitude, you should listen to well. The Bodhisattvas of the past times contemplated the Dharma never heard before: 'From what cause does aging and death arise? Due to what cause does it exist?' Having rightly contemplated thus, they knew aging and death fundamentally arise due to birth. 'From what cause does birth fundamentally arise? Due to what reason does it exist?' Having contemplated thus, they realized birth arises from existence in the three realms. Having grasped [the objects of] that grasping, existence becomes progressively more solidified. Therefore, the Tathāgata declares that grasping is the cause of existence in the three realms."

Original Text: "Like a heap of filth, blown by the wind, the foulness spreads. Similarly, the cause of grasping at signs, due to craving, becomes widespread. Craving arises from feeling; it is the root of the net of suffering. Due to the cause of defiled attachment, suffering and pleasure correspond together. From what cause does feeling fundamentally arise? Due to what does feeling exist? Having contemplated thus, they knew feeling arises from contact. From what cause does contact fundamentally arise? Due to what does contact exist? Having contemplated thus, they knew contact arises from the six sense bases. From what cause do the six sense bases fundamentally arise? Due to what do the six sense bases exist? Having contemplated thus, they knew the six sense bases arise from name-and-form. From what cause does name-and-form fundamentally arise? Due to what does name-and-form exist? Having contemplated thus, they knew name-and-form arises from consciousness. From what cause does consciousness fundamentally arise? Due to what does consciousness exist? Having contemplated thus, they knew consciousness arises from formations. From what cause do formations fundamentally arise? Due to what do formations exist? Having contemplated thus, they knew formations arise from ignorance."

Explanation: Like numerous filthy and foul things gathered together, blown by the wind, the foulness flows and spreads; similarly, the cause of grasping at phenomena (signs) spreads widely due to craving. Craving arises from the cause of feeling; feeling is the root from which the net of suffering arises. Due to the cause of defiled attachment to dharmas, feelings of suffering and pleasure arise, corresponding with defilement. From what cause did feeling fundamentally arise? What cause brought feeling into existence? The Bodhisattva contemplated this cause and then truly knew that feeling arises due to the cause of contact. From what cause did contact fundamentally arise? What cause brought contact into existence? Having contemplated thus, he knew that contact arises due to the cause of the six sense bases. From what cause did the six sense bases fundamentally arise? Due to what cause did the six sense bases exist? Having contemplated thus, he knew the six sense bases arise due to the cause of name-and-form. From what cause did name-and-form fundamentally arise? Due to what reason did name-and-form exist? Having contemplated thus, he realized name-and-form arises due to the cause of the six consciousnesses (vijñāna). From what cause did the six consciousnesses fundamentally arise? Due to what did the six consciousnesses exist? Having contemplated thus, he knew the six consciousnesses arise from the cause of formations (saṃskāra). From what cause did formations fundamentally arise? Due to what cause did formations come into being? Having contemplated thus, he knew formations arise from the cause of ignorance (avidyā).