Avidyā Linking the Three Periods: The Root Cause of Saṃsāra

The link of ignorance extends across the three periods of existence. In previous lives, it was due to ignorance that the subsequent eleven links arose. In the present life, it is still due to ignorance that contact, feeling, craving, and grasping persist unceasingly. In future lives, it will also be due to ignorance that these processes continue to operate, perpetuating the cycle of birth and death throughout the three periods. At which stage is ignorance eliminated? In fact, during the Buddha's time, most practitioners of the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination had already practiced the Four Noble Truths, and many had even attained the fruition. Building upon the foundation of having eradicated the view of self, they then cultivated the Twelve Links, meaning ignorance had already been eliminated—though not yet completely and thoroughly. Therefore, the attainment of the Pratyekabuddha fruition through practicing the Twelve Links surpasses that of the Arhat. Pratyekabuddhas eradicate more ignorance and possess deeper meditative concentration and wisdom than Arhats. Ignorance exists at many levels; even Pratyekabuddhas do not eradicate it completely. Only the Buddhas fully and ultimately eradicate ignorance.