Paṭiccasamuppāda Sutta

This I have heard,

The Awakened One was living in Sāvatthi

in Jeta’s grove, at Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery.

Then he addressed the monks saying: “Monks”

“Bhadante” they replied.

The Buddha said this:

“I will explain to you the chain of causality [1]

Listen carefully and apply your minds to my words.”

“Yes Bhante” The monks replied.

The Buddha continued:

“Monks, what is the chain of causality?

Lack of discernment produces mental activities;

Activities produce consciousness;

Consciousness produces mind and matter;

Mind and matter produce the six senses;

The six senses produce contact;

Contact produces experience;

Experience produces wanting;

Wanting produces attachment;

Attachment produces identity;

Identity produces rebirth;

Rebirth produces aging and death

followed by sorrow, sadness, trouble, depression and anxiety.

This is how this whole mass of trouble arises.

This is called the chain of causality.

When lack of discernment fades away and ceases completely,

mental activities cease;[2]

When mental activities cease, consciousness ceases;

When consciousness ceases, mind and matter cease;

When mind and matter cease, the six senses cease;

When the six senses cease, contact ceases;

When contact ceases, experience ceases;

When experience ceases, wanting ceases;

When wanting ceases, attachments cease;

When attachments cease, identity ceases;

When identity ceases, birth ceases;

When birth ceases, aging and death

sorrow, sadness, trouble, depression and anxiety also cease.

This is how this whole mass of trouble comes to an end.”

This is what the Teacher said.

Glad at heart, the monks rejoiced in his words.

[1] Paṭiccasamuppādaṁ

[2] Avijjāya tveva asesavirāganirodhā saṅkhāranirodho;