The 12 Interdependent Factors

The "Chain" of Samsara

The outermost circle of the Wheel of Life, contains twelve unique images these are called dvadasanga pratityasamutpada or 12 Interdependent Factors. Each of these factors can be thought of as the links of a chain, each is caused by the previous and leads to the next, this in essence, constitutes the reason for the endless cycle of death and rebirth - which is called Samsara.

Samsara, the Wheel of Life, might I remind you, can be understood as Buddhist perception on life and the reason behind existence. It begins at the subconscious state of Bardo, otherwise known as the intermediate state, continues into birth and is completed at the moment of death, thus the literal translation : the Wheel of Life.

In this article, we will focus on the understading each of the 12 factors and the corresponding part on the painting itself.

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( 1 ) IGNORANCE 
sanskrit. Ayida

A blind man : after death the spirit finds itself in a state of total unconscious, plunged into fundamental ignorance.
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( 2 ) KARMIC IMPULSIONS 
sanskrit. Samskara

A potter putting his wheel into action. The spirit is driven out of the state of unconscious, by the karmic grains embedded in his "reservoir of consciousness" (subconscious).
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( 3 ) CONSCIOUSNESS 
sanskrit. Vijnana

A monkey looking through a window of a house : Consciousness or more specifically the faculties that allow us perceive shapes, sounds, smells, etc., slowly take place.
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( 4 ) SHAPES AND NAMES
sanskrit. Namarupa

Two men in a barque : The egocentric individual functions using : shapes, sensations, perceptions, volitions and conscious. The first (shapes) is tangible but the rest are mere mental creations, that cannot be touched nor seen, but only named.
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( 5 ) ACTIVATING SENSES 
sanskrit. Ayatana

A prosperous looking house : Associated with its sense organ : shapes, smells, sounds, etc.. begin to appear.
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( 6 ) CONTACT
sanskrit. Sparsha

Two men in a barque : The egocentric individual functions using : shapes, sensations, perceptions, volitions and conscious. The first (shapes) is tangible but the rest are mere mental creations, that cannot be touched nor seen, but only named.
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( 7 ) SENSATIONS 
sanskrit. Vedana

A person being shot in the eye with an arrow : Contact leads to sensations: Good, Bad or Neutral.
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( 8 ) TO WANT
sanskrit. Trishna

A man intoxicating himself : Sensation, whether it be good or bad, creates a platform where desire for an object, is created. If the sensation in neutral then the desire is reduced to simply accepting the reality of the object.
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( 9 ) TO SEIZE 
sanskrit. Upadana

A person picking fruit from a tree : Seize is the action that follows wanting. within the concept of Bardo, this action corresponds to the sperm and the egg becoming an embryo. Consciousness is present in a Embryo.
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( 10 ) BECOMING
sanskrit. Bhava

A pregnant woman : "becoming" designates the preparation for a certain type of existence, it can be seen as the period of gestation.
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( 11 ) BIRTH 
sanskrit. Jati

A woman giving birth.
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( 12 ) AGEING AND DEATH
sanskrit. Jaramarana

A man carrying a cadaver to be cremated : As soon as we are born, we begin to age and eventually this ageing will lead us to death. The spirit then falls back into ignorance and finds itself back at the first link in the chain.
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WHAT DID WE LEARN ?

There are many different concepts that we must think about. Each thought and action that happens in our life leaves a lasting effect in our subconscious mind. And it is during these 12 phases that this effect is felt.

The idea of Bardo or the Intermediate State is fundamental to be able to fully understand the Wheel of Life. This article tried to cover the basics behind Bardo and provide a simple overview. There are numerous books that cover this topic in depth - I would personally suggest the Tibetan Book of the Dead - as this will provide a more philosophical and detailed approach to our topic !

The picture we see here demonstrates that the only true liberation from cyclic existence is Nirvana. Where those who have reach enlightenment leave the endless cycles of death and rebirth, to join the Buddhas - therefore it is important for us to try and display positive attitudes and qualities to those around us.

If Buddhism tell us anything it is that we are able to change and better our ways, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

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