| The theory of dependent origin is the most basic but core doctrine of Buddhism.It is the foundation of the edifice of Buddhism theory.It runs through all stages of the development of Buddhism theory.The theory of origin of primitive Buddhism not only supported the building of Buddhist theory,it was also the source of the development of Buddhist theory in later generations.Primitive Buddhism’s theories about dependent origination are mainly preserved in the Agama Sutra.The Buddha’s explanation of dependent origination in the Agama Sutra can be viewed from two perspectives.One is a positive explanation,that is,the twelve dependent origination sequence.The sequence related to the twelve dependent origination is often the answer to the Buddha’s question "what is dependent origination".Therefore,it can be seen that the term dependent origination should focus on the process.In addition to the twelve dependent origination sequence,there are also root consciousness sequences and other sequences.The sequence presents the process of the origin of things,including the two aspects of arising and passing away.Another perspective is the conditioned being-born method.In the scriptures,it mainly refers to the twelve dependent origins,five aggregates,six roots,six states,six consciousnesses,eighteen realms and so on.Both the five aggregates and the eighteen realms are classifications of the world of experience.It contains all the material and spiritual phenomena of the past,present and future three generations,while the eighteenth realm is the division of the experience world with human beings as the center.The purpose of these divisions is to,by emphasizing the impermanence,suffering,emptiness and non-self of these different things,to teach the disciples to realize that even though the conditioned state is complete,it can only be recognized in a relative sense.Therefore,it cannot be considered that things are truly completed,formed and existed,because from the perspective of dependent origination,all experienced things are always in a state of impermanence and changelessness,that is to say,the conditioned generation is still in the state of dependent origination.In the dynamic process.Through the two teachings of dependent origination and dependent origination,the Buddha presented dependent origination as a dynamic perspective to look at things.The Buddha believed that this dynamic process is authentic and persistent,that is,the principle of dependent origin is real and accurate,whether he is born or not,he just discovered this truth and proclaimed it to everyone.Although primitive Buddhism’s dependent origination theory is always criticized as narrow,not as profound and extensive as Mahayana,it may not be the case.It provides inspiration and space for further development of Buddhist dependent origination theory.The analysis method of disassembling empirical things and the method of classifying and explaining empirical things are inherited by Buddhism,and developed a sophisticated physiognomy;the analysis of the characteristics of empirical things and the explanation of the middle way are inherited and developed by the Mahayana middle view.From the perspective of dependent Origination,the Agama Sutra also emphasizes the mind.This point has been inherited and developed by the Yoga School.Therefore,the connotation of primitive Buddhist dependent origination theory cannot be evaluated in a narrow manner. |
