Dependent Origination
Dependent origination is one of the central teachings of Buddhism. It is the key that unlocks every dhamma teaching. It explains the interconnected and conditional nature of all phenomena. It teaches that nothing exists independently; everything arises due to specific causes and conditions. This principle encapsulates the cyclical process of existence, showing how suffering (dukkha) emerges and persists in a chain of causation.
The expression of Dependent Origination can be found in several Pali Canon texts, as it represents a core principle repeatedly emphasized in early Buddhist teachings. One of the most prominent suttas that contains this expression is the Samyutta Nikaya, specifically:
Samyutta Nikaya 12.20 – Paticca-samuppada-vibhanga Sutta (Analysis of Dependent Origination)
“If this is, that comes to be;
From the arising of this, that arises;
If this is not, that does not come to be;
From the stopping of this, that is stopped.
This sounds linear but it is actually a dynamic web. The basic principle — “If this is, that comes to be; if this is not, that does not come to be” — reveals itself not as simple linear causality, but as a vast, dynamic web of interconnected conditions all conditioning one another.
This understanding transforms how we practice. Rather than trying to force experiences, we learn to work skillfully with conditions, trusting that when we bring the right elements together, the fruits of practice will naturally arise.
Loving Kindness (Metta)
Loving Kindness is a quality of friendship. It is a quality of the heart that simply wishes well to all beings without seeking anything back. Loving Kindness meditation is the cultivation of a steady, unconditional sense of connection that touches all beings without exception, including ourselves. It has great expansive power because it makes no distinction between beings. It has the capacity to embrace all beings. It is a great lead into the 4 Divine Abodes.
I have used this principle of Dependent Origination to come up with a meditation for cultivating Loving Kindness. My meditation comprises of 7 phrases or affirmations. The first 3 are used as representation of causes and conditions for loving kindness to naturally flow through us. We resource ourselves so that we can increase our capacity for Loving Kindness. The next 3 phrases are used for the loved one or benefactor to whom we are directing our loving kindness. The final phrase rounds up this practice by celebrating the goodness in all of us. All beings have the capacity for kindness, generosity, and virtue.
Please remember that this is a highly customizable practice. I am presenting below a small sample of Causes and Conditions that arouse Loving Kindness. There are many others. I am presenting just 3 classical phrases of Loving Kindness. There are many more that you can create for yourselves. Remember, you are cultivating a garden of metta in your hearts. Your garden is going to be unique compared to others. However, it is important to bring in the principle of Dependent Origination to make your practice more skillful.
Causes and Conditions that arouse Loving Kindness
- Gratitude and thankfulness
Having gratitude and thankfulness allows us to establish wholesome relationships with other people and is a wonderful way to see other people. The literal translation of gratitude is acknowledgement or knowing what has been done for us. Thankfulness is the emotional impact of being grateful. Gratitude and thankfulness go in 2 directions. Gratitude goes outward to what we are grateful for. Thankfulness goes inward for the heartwarming, inspiring effect when we receive something from others. Cultivating gratitude and thankfulness can shift our focus from the habitual judgments of “good” and “bad” to a more appreciative awareness of the present.
We remind ourselves of this principle by utilizing a phrase like this one:
“May I always appreciate the goodness that supports me”.
2. Self-Love
Self-love is innate to us. We take many actions throughout the day in response to the innate feeling of self-love. We just don’t recognize them. For example, we decide to go out on a Friday afternoon to have a good time. We do so because we love ourselves and want to have a good time.
We remind ourselves of our innate ability for self-love by utilizing a phrase like this one:
“May I notice the many moments of self-love throughout the day”.
3. Joy
Buddha’s teachings are all about suffering and for ending suffering but in the path towards ending suffering, there is plenty of Joy. Buddhist path is a path of joyfulness that also leads to the end of all suffering.
There is a difference between Joy and Sympathetic Joy as a brahma vihara. Joy is an intrapersonal experience that occurs within ourselves. However, sympathetic joy is something we recognize in other people. It is interpersonal. Sympathetic Joy is an expression of Joy.
Mettā often flows more easily from a heart already at ease. We remind ourselves of this quality by utilizing a simple but powerful phrase like this:
“May I be joyful”.
Now that we have aroused some degree of loving kindness within ourselves, we think of someone we love or someone who is our benefactor. We get a feel for their presence. We then repeat the following classical phrases to offer them.
4. Happiness and Contentment
Happiness here refers to a sense of joy, well-being, and uplifted mind. It’s not about temporary pleasures but a deeper, wholesome happiness. Contentment refers to acceptance, inner satisfaction, and peace with what is. Contentment is about not constantly craving or feeling restless. Together, the phrase wishes for a state where our chosen being experiences both joy and a sense of inner sufficiency, regardless of circumstances. The cultivation of contentment is crucial for successful meditation practice. Much of mental restlessness that prevents the mind from becoming calm is due to lack of contentment with what is.
We utilize a phrase like this:
“May you be happy and contented”
5. Peace
This is a wish or intention directed outward to our chosen being. It’s not a command; it’s a gentle hope for well-being. Peace here refers not just to the absence of external conflict, but a deeper inner calm, mental balance, and freedom from agitation or suffering.
We utilize a phrase like this:
“May you be peaceful”
6. Live with Ease
A gentle wish or intention directed toward our chosen being. It is non-imposing, simply a hope for well-being. “…live with ease”. This goes beyond physical comfort. It refers to a state of inner ease, freedom, and well-being—a life not dominated by unnecessary tension, suffering, or struggle. In essence, it’s a wish for someone to experience both external and internal freedom from hardship, and to navigate life with gentleness, acceptance, and balance.
We utilize a phrase like this:
“May you live with ease”.
7. Celebrating our experience of shared humanity
This is a special phrase that rounds out our exercise for cultivating loving kindness.
“May I celebrate my own goodness and the goodness in you.”
This phrase starts with self-reflection. It emphasizes awareness and acknowledgment of our own inherent goodness. It is about recognizing our virtues, efforts, and wholesome qualities without arrogance, guilt, or self-criticism. It encourages self-acceptance and joy in our own positive qualities. We extend this awareness outward, acknowledging that all beings have the capacity for kindness, generosity, and virtue. It counters envy, judgment, and comparison, fostering appreciation and gratitude.
We cannot overdo metta or self-metta. Metta is generosity of the heart. There is nothing in it for us except for sharing it with others.
Please check out a recording of my talk on this subject on YouTube
