Essay name: Ahara as depicted in the Pancanikaya
Author:
Le Chanh
Affiliation: Savitribai Phule Pune University / Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit Languages
This critical study of Ahara (鈥渇ood鈥�) explores its significance in Buddhism, encompassing both physical and mental nourishment. The Panca Nikaya, part of the Sutta Pitaka, highlights how all human problems, including suffering and happiness, are connected to Ahara. Understanding this concept is crucial for comprehending and alleviating suffering, aiming for a balanced, enlightened life.
Chapter 3 - Ahara and specific teachings of the Buddha
4 (of 39)
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73 120
conditions are Dependently-originated States. It is to be known by the
Blessed One's word. For it is precisely those states which are conditions,
that with the synonyms beginning with 'reality,' have been called
鈥榙ependent origination' by the Blessed One when teaching the Dependent
Origination in the sutta on the Teaching of the Dependent Origination.
And Dependently-originated States that is 'conditioned by rebirth is
decay-and- death - whether, there be an arising of Tath膩gatas, or whether
there be no such arising, this nature of things just stands, this causal
status, this causal orderliness, the relatedness of this or that. Concerning
that the Tath膩gata is fully enlightened, that He fully understands. Fully
enlightened, fully understanding He declares it, sets it forth, manifests,
explains; makes it plain, saying "behold"! Conditioned by rebirth is
decay - and death, conditioned by becoming is rebirth ... conditioned by
ignorance are activities. Whether, there be an arising of Tath膩gatas, or
whether there be no such arising, this nature of things just stands. ..."121
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Consequently, it should be understood that Dependent Origination
has the characteristic of being the conditions for the states beginning with
ageing-and-death. Its function is to continue the process of suffering. It is
manifested as the wrong path. Some scholars have often thought that,
the doctrine of Dependent Origination has one fixed formula that is the
twelve and starting from "ignorance鈥� (avijj膩.) Some others have usually
confused and ignored because of its diversified and complicated meaning.
In reality, the doctrine of Dependent Origination presented in Suttapi峁璦ka
with the different forms, not only twelve links, but also eight, ten, five,
120 121
Trans. Bhikkhu 脩膩nmoli, The Path of Purification, Taipei: The Corporate Body of the Buddha
Educational Foundation, 2007, p. 592.
S. II, 25.
122 The Path of Purification, ibid., p. 593.
