Dependent Origination and Emptiness

by Leigh Brasington

Dependent Origination is the most important teaching that the Buddha uses to explain what dukkha (suffering, dissatisfaction, or "bummer") arises dependent upon and to provide a strategy for ending dukkha. Dependent Origination is often presented as a linked list of dependencies, frequently numbering twelve items. But it is far more than just the twelve item linked list; the implications of the general case of “something arising dependent upon something else” are quite profound and lead to some of the deepest of all the Buddha's teachings.

In this book meditation teacher Leigh Brasington delves into the concept of Dependent Origination and how it relates to the profound Buddhist teaching of Emptiness (suññatā). The book - founded on a comprehensive survey of the Pāḷi Canon - describes the various ways this highly important theme was considered in early Buddhist scripture, as well as many of the different interpretations that have been given of Dependent Origination in the latter commentarial tradition up until modern times. The book then explores the relationship of Dependent Origination and Emptiness, based especially on the philosophy of Nāgārjuna (c. 150 - 250 CE), one of the most influential Buddhist teachers since the time of the Buddha himself.

The book is available for download free of charge under a Creative Commons license at the author's own webpage sodapi (dot) leighb (dot) com.

Genres: Buddhism, Meditation, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion

228 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Santtu Heikkinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leigh Brasington (author of Right Concentration, one of the best manuals for jhāna practice around) delves into deep insight stuff! This book is a great and indepth survey of Dependent Origination. It really shows why the Buddha considered this teaching the core of the Dhamma.

DO is a concept that is often explained in unnecessarily convoluted, confusing and unrealistic ways, mostly due to the influence of the Theravadin commentarial tradition. Leigh shows very well how this "curious old rune" as C. Rhys Davids called it can actually be understood in ways that are profoundly insightful and actually make sense.

I very warmly recommend this entertaining little book for anyone interested in (but perhaps mystified by!) Dependent Origination. Leigh writes with a light and humorous tone that makes for easy and pleasant reading despite the profound subject matter.

[Ruby Grad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the reader needs some acquaintance with Buddhist teachings and scripture, this provides an excellent view of Dependent Origination.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this a 5/5 because for a book with this scope and topic, it approaches perfection.

If I could describe the book with two words, they would be 'approachable' and 'thorough'. Leigh has one of the most simple and clear styles of writing within the genre of Buddhist philosophy, enabling the reader to really make the ideas land and be grasped. For a topic so deep in its implications as dependent origination this is truly remarkable.

Connections to the teachings of emptiness and nibbana are made to broaden the reader's perspective.

I enyoyed translations of Nagarjuna's text as they point the mind towards ultimate reality, non-duality, one-ness.

Use the insights from this book to investigate your direct experience and let go of your preconceived notions. The infinite unfolding is truly a miracle we live and breathe every moment.

[Teo · Rating 5 out of 5]

2021.10.30–2021.12.27

Contents

Brasington L (2021) Dependent Origination and Emptiness - Streams Of Dependently Arising Processes Interacting

Dedication
Abbreviations and Notes
Preface
Introduction

Part I: Background

01. Dukkha is a Bummer
02. The Noble Quest
03. Necessary Conditions
04. The Key

Part II: The Links

05. Why Do We Die?
06. The Wheel
07. Three Lives?
08. Moment to Moment
09. Transcendental Dependent Origination
10. The Honeyball Sutta

Part III: Deeper Implications

11. The General Case
12. Sāti, the Son of a Fisherman
13. Without Concepts of Existence or Non-Existence
14. The Middle Way – Introduction to Emptiness
15. The Middle Way – Emptiness of Self
16. The Middle Way – Emptiness and Dependent Origination
17. Nibbāna – as Described In Udana 8
18. Nibbāna – as Described in the Bāhiya Sutta
19. Nibbāna – as Described in DN 11
20. Emptiness, Mindfulness, Selflessness
21. Don't Be Fooled By Your Conceptualizing

Afterword

Appendix 1: Various Recensions of Dependent Origination Found in the Suttas

Appendix 2: Sutta References

Appendix 3: Why “Suffering” Is a Poor Choice for Translating “Dukkha"

Appendix 4: The Three Necessary Conditions for Consciousness

Acknowledgements
Bibliography
Licenses and Credits
Glossary
Index
About the Author

[M Spiering · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very clear account of Dependent Origination/Co-arising (or in Pali/Sanskrit, paticca-samuppada/pratityasamutpada), especially for those who want to start out with a very lucid and clear exposition of this difficult-to-grasp fundamental Buddhist doctrine. Plus it's freely available as an ebook (just do an online search for "Dependent Origination and Emptiness sodapi"). Highly recommended.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best thing I've read on Buddhist dependent origination. I've been meditating with the moment-to-moment technique for the past month with great results. It requires a little memorization but the benefits are enormous.

Brasington's Right Concentration about the jhanas is also a must-read for any meditator.

[Maria Balsamo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant commentary on two of the deepest and most profound elements of Buddhist philosophy. Very clear and understandable. Must re-read this.

[Luotenrati · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely lucid and clear explanation of what dependent origination and emptiness are based on the Suttas and the teachings of Nagarjuna.

[Jonathan Wiraputera · Rating 5 out of 5]

technical exploration of dependent origination. not dry, great throughout. excellent and subtle ending. changed my life.

[Balya Sulistiyono · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to understand dependent origination and challenge the idea of cause-and-effect. This will stick with me definitely.

[Sean Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man who wrote the book on practical methods to attain jhana states moves from concentration to insight with this accessible approach to dependent origination. I've struggled with understanding how the various links relate to each other and this book helped me to see that each link represents a necessary condition for the following state, but that doesn't mean that state necessarily follows that predecessor.

[John Mcdonnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I teach dukkha and the end of dukkha" —Buddha

Leigh essentially claims that Buddhism is a type of subjective science in which Siddartha proposes a gears-y model of suffering with implications about how to end it.

Some tidbits:

• "Dukkha" is best translated as "bummer" (mega hippie energy but his arguments are also persuasive)
• Dukkha arises dependent on… various stuff, most directly tanha, most deeply ignorance, and the concoctions ignorance gives rise to.
• Damning refutation of the common notion of Nirvana as ending the cycle of reincarnation.
• A practice from the Buddha: "In seeing there is just seeing, in hearing just hearing, in sensing just sensing, in cognizing just cognizing."
• Lots of great pali words including papañca, or mental proliferation