Part I — Foundations of Conditionality (Assigned: CH01–CH06)
This foundational part introduces the core principles of Paṭicca-samuppāda (Dependent Origination), emphasizing its role as the central law of conditionality in Buddhist thought. It covers the logical framework of causes and effects, integrates the Four Noble Truths with practical knowledges, and explores key concepts like the five aggregates, sense doors, elements, and the structure of the 12-link Wheel. The aim is to shift understanding from a static "person" to a dynamic "process," providing tools for meditation and insight to observe arising phenomena without attachment.
CH01 — What is Paṭicca‑samuppāda? Scope, aims, method
This chapter defines Paṭicca-samuppāda as "arising on the basis of conditions," highlighting its essence as the law explaining how phenomena dependently originate and cease. It outlines the scope, including the 12 links, four periods, and three rounds, while emphasizing its practical importance for seeing the Dhamma. The method combines diagram-based learning, textual references from suttas and Visuddhimagga, and integration with meditation practices from lineages like Mogok and Mahāsi, with prompts to observe conditional arising in daily life.
CH02 — Idappaccayatā and the logic of conditions
Exploring Idappaccayatā ("this being, that becomes"), this chapter delves into the logical structure of conditionality underpinning Dependent Origination. It categorizes five key conditions (e.g., cause, object, dominant) with practical examples from thoughts and emotions, and links them to meditation for reducing attachment. Diagrams illustrate cause-effect flows across time, supported by sutta references, encouraging readers to trace conditions in events to foster awareness of impermanence and non-self.
CH03 — Four Noble Truths with the three knowledges (saccañāṇa–kiccañāṇa–katañāṇa)
This chapter connects the Four Noble Truths—suffering (to understand), origin (to abandon), cessation (to realize), and path (to develop)—with the three knowledges: recognizing truth, knowing what to do, and confirming accomplishment. Using tables and sutta examples, it applies this framework to aggregates and craving, providing meditation prompts to identify truths in experiences, thus bridging doctrine with insight practice for liberation.
CH04 — Person vs. process: five aggregates (pañcakkhandhā) as what is actually found
Distinguishing between a perceived "person" and the process of five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, formations, consciousness), this chapter explains their impermanent, conditioned nature within Dependent Origination. Tables map aggregates to DO links, with diagrams and practice prompts to observe them in activities, fostering insight into non-self and reducing attachment through mindful labeling of phenomena.
CH05 — Doors, bases, and elements: saḷāyatana & dhātu as the map of experience
This chapter maps the six sense doors (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, mind) and elements (earth, water, fire, air, space, consciousness) as gateways to experience in Dependent Origination. It details how they lead to contact and feeling, with tables linking them to DO factors and meditation observations. Prompts encourage focused awareness on one sense door to trace craving's origins, supported by sutta references for practical insight.
CH06 — Reading the Wheel: two roots, two truths, twelve factors, three connections, four periods
Introducing the 12-link Wheel diagram, this chapter explains its structure: two roots (ignorance, craving), two truths (suffering, origin), twelve factors across three rounds and four periods. Tables detail each factor's position and description, with guidance on interpreting causal flows. Practice prompts help observe factors in daily life, emphasizing how understanding the Wheel reveals the cycle of suffering and paths to cessation.
Part II — The Twelve Links (Standard Sequence) (Assigned: CH09–CH20)
This part systematically examines each of the twelve links in the standard sequence of Dependent Origination, from ignorance to aging and death. It integrates doctrinal explanations with practical observations, tables, and diagrams to show how each link conditions the next, forming the cycle of saṃsāra. Meditation prompts focus on real-time awareness to break unwholesome patterns, drawing from canonical texts for a comprehensive view of cause, effect, and liberation.
CH09 — ① Avijjā — Ignorance
Focusing on Avijjā as the first link and past cause in the Kilesa round, this chapter describes ignorance of the Four Noble Truths as the root of saṃsāric existence. It explores its role in conditioning formations, with examples and prompts to notice ignorance in thoughts, urging mindfulness to dispel it through insight into truths.
CH10 — ② Saṅkhārā — Volitional activities
This chapter details Saṅkhārā as volitional formations conditioned by ignorance, classifying them as wholesome, unwholesome, or neutral. Tables link types to rounds and practices, with diagrams showing their bridge to consciousness. Prompts guide observation of intentions to reduce unwholesome habits and cultivate wisdom.
CH11 — ③ Viññāṇa — Consciousness
Examining Viññāṇa as present-effect consciousness arising from formations, this chapter covers sense-specific types and their impermanence. Tables map to sense doors and DO positions, with prompts to observe shifting awareness, fostering insight into conditioned arising without attachment.
CH12 — ④ Nāma‑rūpa — Mentality–materiality
This chapter explains Nāma-rūpa as the mind-body complex conditioned by consciousness, detailing mental (feelings, perceptions) and material components. Tables and diagrams illustrate interactions, with prompts to contemplate their interplay, revealing non-self and impermanence in experiences.
CH13 — ⑤ Saḷāyatana — Six sense bases
Covering the six sense bases arising from mind-body, this chapter links them to contact and craving. Tables detail objects and observations, with prompts to focus on one base, helping practitioners guard doors against unwholesome responses.
CH14 — ⑥ Phassa — Contact
Phassa is presented as the convergence of sense, object, and consciousness, leading to feeling. The chapter explores its role in present effects, with tables and prompts to observe contact mindfully, preventing escalation to craving.
CH15 — ⑦ Vedanā — Feeling
This chapter analyzes Vedanā as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral tones from contact, pivotal in leading to craving. Tables classify types and connections, with prompts to note feelings without reaction, cultivating equanimity.
CH16 — ⑧ Taṇhā — Craving
Taṇhā is examined as desire arising from feeling, with types (sense, existence, non-existence) and its intensification into clinging. Prompts encourage observing cravings to let go, breaking the cycle at this key point.
CH17 — ⑨ Upādāna — Clinging
Building on craving, Upādāna is described as attachment to forms, ideas, and self. The chapter details its present-cause role, with tables and prompts to identify clinging, promoting detachment through insight.
CH18 — ⑩ Bhava — Becoming
Bhava is explored as the process of existence conditioned by clinging, including karmic and rebirth aspects. Tables map types to future effects, with reflections on how intentions shape outcomes.
CH19 — ⑪ Jāti — Birth
This chapter covers Jāti as actual birth arising from becoming, classifying types (womb, egg, etc.). Prompts focus on contemplating future conditions from present actions, emphasizing karmic influence.
CH20 — ⑫ Jarā‑maraṇa — Aging & death
Concluding the cycle, Jarāmaraṇa is explained as aging and death from birth, with types of death and links to cessation. Reflections on impermanence guide toward Nirodha as liberation.
Part III — Present‑Flow (Khandha DO) (Assigned: CH121–CH25)
Focusing on the dynamic present-flow aspect of Dependent Origination through aggregates, this part emphasizes real-time observation from sense doors to feeling and craving. It provides case studies and drills to integrate khandha contemplation, highlighting pivots like vedanā to cut craving, with practical tools for classroom and personal practice.
CH21 — From door to feeling: cakkhu → rūpa → viññāṇa → phassa → vedanā (present aspect)
This chapter traces the present sequence from eye-door to feeling, illustrating how experience arises. Prompts and drills encourage mindful tracking to observe conditionality live.
CH22 — The pivot at vedanā: how craving begins—and how to cut it (C2)
Highlighting the C2 bridge (vedanā to taṇhā), this chapter explains craving's origin and interventions. Practical exercises focus on equanimity to prevent escalation.
CH23 — Seeing aggregates live: khandha contemplation without “being”‑language
Emphasizing process over self, this chapter guides live observation of aggregates, avoiding identity language. Prompts foster non-self insight through direct experience.
CH24 — The three short connections: C1 (saṅkhāra→viññāṇa), C2 (vedanā→taṇhā), C3 (bhava→jāti)
Reviewing the three bridges, this chapter integrates connections across time, with audits of mental habits to reverse the cycle.
CH25 — Six‑door case studies and classroom drills
Using case studies across sense doors, this chapter offers drills for group practice, reinforcing observation of arising phenomena.
Part IV — Vaṭṭa & Analytical Classifications (Assigned: CH26–CH33)
This analytical part overlays classifications like rounds, roots, truths, periods, and modes onto the DO cycle. It provides frameworks for deeper analysis, including feedback loops and escape strategies, with educator tools like diagrams and Q&A for teaching precision.
CH26— Two Roots: Avijjā (past cause) and Taṇhā (present cause)
Exploring ignorance and craving as roots, this chapter maps their roles in sustaining saṃsāra, with strategies to uproot them through insight.
CH27 — Two Truths in DO work: dukkha‑sacca & samudaya‑sacca and their tasks
Focusing on suffering and origin truths, this chapter details tasks (understand, abandon) integrated with DO, enhancing practical application.
CH28 — Three vaṭṭas: Kilesa, Kamma, Vipāka—clean mapping across the twelve links
Mapping defilements, actions, and results across links, this chapter clarifies flows with color-coded tools for visualization.
CH29 — Two Cycles (Kilesa ↔ Kamma): feedback loop and escape strategy
This chapter analyzes the defilement-action loop, offering mindfulness-based escapes to break perpetuation.
CH30 — Four Periods overlay: Past Cause / Present Effect / Present Cause / Future Effect
Overlaying time periods on DO, this chapter aids in tracing causal chains, with reflections on temporal conditionality.
CH31 — Four Segments & Twenty Modes: the Q&A classification framework
Presenting 20 modes (5x4) for segmented analysis, this chapter equips for Q&A and deeper doctrinal inquiry.
CH32 — Saḷāyatana & Dhātu inside DO: functional alignment for teaching
Aligning sense bases and elements within DO, this chapter provides teaching alignments for experiential mapping.
CH33 — Diagram canon & QA: 12‑link wheel, arrows, colors, connections (educator rules)
Establishing standards for Wheel diagrams, this chapter includes QA checklists for consistent educational visuals.
Part V — The Path (Training to Reverse the Cycle) (Assigned: CH35–CH44)
This practical training part outlines the path to reverse DO, covering knowledges, purifications, factors of enlightenment, mindfulness methods, and insight stages. It integrates samatha and vipassanā, with antidotes to defilements and guidance on fruitions, for systematic progress toward Nibbāna.
CH34 — The Three Knowledges Engine (Ñāṇa‑Traya) in Practice — saccañāṇa • kiccañāṇa • katañāṇa
Applying the three knowledges practically, this chapter engines insight development for DO reversal.
CH35 — Seven Purifications (satta visuddhiyo) — diagnostics and passage signs
Detailing purifications with diagnostics, this chapter guides progression markers in training.
CH36 — Thirty‑seven bodhipakkhiyā dhammas — development plan & balancing
Outlining enlightenment factors, this chapter provides plans for balanced cultivation.
CH37 — Satipaṭṭhāna method — body, feeling, mind, dhammas (lesson sequences)
Sequencing mindfulness foundations, this chapter integrates with DO for comprehensive practice.
CH38 — Vedanānupassanā & cittānupassanā — cutting at the live edge
Focusing on feeling and mind contemplation, this chapter targets real-time craving cuts.
CH39 — Samatha supports — ānāpānasati, kasiṇa basics, and recollections
Introducing calm supports, this chapter bolsters vipassanā with concentration techniques.
CH40 — Ten defilements (kilesā) — precision antidotes & habit redesign
Providing antidotes to defilements, this chapter redesigns habits for purity.
CH41 — Three cravings (taṇhā): kāma, bhava, vibhava — interventions & tracking
Intervening in craving types, this chapter includes tracking for effective abandonment.
CH42 — Ten insight knowledges (vipassanā‑ñāṇa) — hallmarks, traps, progress
Mapping insight stages, this chapter warns of traps and tracks progress.
CH43 — Fruitions (phala‑samāpatti) & review — entering, stabilizing, integrating
Guiding fruition entry and integration, this chapter stabilizes path attainments.
CH44 — Seventeen designations of Nibbāna — correct orientation & upasamānussati
Orienting to Nibbāna's aspects, this chapter fosters peace recollection.
Part VI — Lineages & Teaching Streams (Assigned: CH45–CH50)
Surveying key Burmese lineages, this part synthesizes approaches to DO teaching, from Mogok's present-focus to comparative harmonies. It equips educators with pedagogical insights for diverse audiences.
CH45 — Mogok Sayadaw — present‑aspect DO & dispelling diṭṭhi
Highlighting Mogok's emphasis on present DO to dispel views, with practical dispelling methods.
CH46 — Mahāsi Sayadaw — Satipaṭṭhāna‑vipassanā pedagogy & stages
Detailing Mahāsi's mindfulness pedagogy and insight stages.
CH47 — Pa‑Auk — elements analysis and the sīla–samādhi–paññā arc
Exploring Pa-Auk's elemental and ethical-concentration-wisdom progression.
CH48 — Ledi Sayadaw — doctrinal anchors on DO and Nibbāna
Anchoring DO and Nibbāna in Ledi's doctrinal teachings.
CH49 — Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa — analysis of feeling within the DO pathway
Analyzing feeling's role in DO per Nandamālābhivaṃsa.
CH50 — Comparative synthesis — harmonizing emphases for classroom use
Synthesizing lineages for harmonious teaching applications.
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