Author Dhivan Thomas Jones discusses the Buddha's teaching on dependent co-arising in Buddhism, exploring its implications on individual and societal dissatisfaction. The podcast delves into the concept of untangling the self, the relationship between the Four Noble Truths and dependent origination, and the importance of recognizing the links to alleviate suffering and achieve liberation. The conversation also touches on karma, meditation, societal change, and the significance of support and enjoyment in life.
Dependent origination reveals the entangled nature of human existence and offers a path to liberation from suffering.
Understanding dependent origination provides insights into breaking free from individual dissatisfaction and societal conflicts.
Deep dives
Teaching of Dependent Origination
Exploring the concept of dependent origination in Buddhism, the podcast delves into the 12 links that create the sense of self and lead to suffering. By understanding these links, individuals gain insight into breaking free from the cycle of suffering by unraveling the entanglements that bind them.
Interconnection of Four Noble Truths and Dependent Origination
The podcast highlights the alignment between the teachings of dependent origination and the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism. It emphasizes how the chain of dependent origination serves as a detailed version of understanding the nature of suffering and the root causes of attachment, closely linked to the core principles of the Four Noble Truths.
Application of Dependent Origination in Society and Individual Growth
Beyond individual liberation, the discussion extends the application of dependent origination to societal contexts, emphasizing how fixed identities and societal structures contribute to conflicts and suffering. By recognizing the interconnectedness highlighted in the teaching, individuals are encouraged to introspect and break free from the chains of attachment and craving that perpetuate suffering, fostering a deeper understanding of karma and consciousness in personal growth and societal harmony.
The Buddha described humanity as tangled like string, knotted like a ball of thread. This tangle is a result of not seeing clearly the dependent co-arising— paticca-samupadda-- of phenomena. This is one of the most important of the early teachings. It can be seen through the lens of individual dissatisfaction and of course, through social, political and cultural dissatisfaction.
Doug and Jon explore the teaching and how we bring it into our practice.
Dhivan Thomas Jones's book: This Being, That Becomes
Videos: Playlist on dependent origination at Doug's Dharma: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0akoU_OszRjcEvO6Gt2MSKF-u7Y8XaNc