DEPENDENT ORIGINATION

The Buddhist principle of Dependent Origination states that what is, is dependent upon something else, the law of cause and effect.  If this is, that comes to be; from the arising of this, that arises; if this is not, that does not come to be; from the stopping of this, that stops.  (Majjhima-Nikaya II.32).

The skillful man asks what are the consequences of my actions?  Will it lead to hurt of self, of others, or of both?  What will happen if I stop, or do nothing?  (Majjhima-Nikaya I.416).  It is like a clock where if one wheel turns, all the wheels turn.  Everything changes with one change, or not.

The causes and effects proceed automatically in an impersonal law-like manner.  The implication of this is that an intelligent agent, like a Creator, is not necessary.  In fact it is impossible for such an uncaused principle as a Creator to interact with our universe which runs on causal dependence.

Due to the law-like behavior of Dependent Origination, it gives rise to every other doctrine in Buddhism including rebirth, samsara (cycle of life and death), dukkha (suffering), and sunyata (emptiness of self). 

According to Dependent Origination, sentient beings are mere conceptual constructs, the result of bundles of causes and effects.