LON X INTENTION

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Our actions are simultaneously bound by the determinism of physical laws and enriched with intention

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“The human shape of characters shifts and doubles in unexpected ways, defying the boundaries of sex and gender, human and animal, and between creatures real, imaginary, and unimaginable. Time moves backward and forward. Dreams multiply, divide, and nest inward on themselves.”

In a piece, writer and translator Nathaniel Gallant reviews Tatsuhiko Shibusawa’s Buddhist fantasy epic, Takaoka’s Travels.

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Dependent Origination and Interbeing are central concepts in Buddhist philosophy that explain the nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all things. While these ideas originate from different Buddhist traditions, they are deeply related and share common themes.

1. Dependent Origination (Pratītyasamutpāda):

• Definition: Dependent Origination is a core teaching in Buddhism that explains how all phenomena arise in dependence on other phenomena. It suggests that nothing exists independently or in isolation; everything is interconnected and conditioned by other factors.
• Key Idea: Everything that exists is the result of a complex web of causes and conditions. For example, a tree exists because of the seed, water, soil, sunlight, and many other factors. Without these conditions, the tree would not exist. Similarly, human existence and experiences are dependent on countless conditions, both internal (like thoughts and emotions) and external (like society and environment).
• Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: In traditional Buddhist teachings, the cycle of existence is often explained through the twelve links (nidānas) of dependent origination, which describe the process by which suffering arises:
  1. Ignorance (Avidyā)
  2. Mental formations (Sankhāra)
  3. Consciousness (Vijñāna)
  4. Name and form (Nāmarūpa)
  5. Six senses (Ṣaḍāyatana)
  6. Contact (Sparśa)
  7. Feeling (Vedanā)
  8. Craving (Tṛṣṇā)
  9. Clinging (Upādāna)
  10. Becoming (Bhava)
  11. Birth (Jāti)
  12. Aging and death (Jarāmaraṇa)
• Implication: The teaching of dependent origination highlights the transient and interconnected nature of reality. By understanding this, one can begin to overcome attachment and ignorance, which are the root causes of suffering in Buddhist philosophy.

2. Interbeing (Thich Nhat Hanh's Concept):

• Definition: Interbeing is a term coined by the Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. It is a modern articulation of the ancient Buddhist concept of interconnectedness, emphasizing that everything "inter-is," meaning everything exists in relation to everything else.
• Key Idea: Interbeing highlights the deep interdependence of all beings and things. For example, a sheet of paper does not exist independently; it relies on the tree, the rain, the sunlight, the logger, and many other elements. In this sense, to "be" means to "inter-be" with everything else.
• Practical Application: Thich Nhat Hanh encourages mindfulness and awareness of this interconnectedness in daily life. Recognizing interbeing can lead to a greater sense of compassion, understanding, and respect for all living beings and the environment. This awareness also supports the practice of non-violence and peaceful coexistence.

Relationship Between Dependent Origination and Interbeing:

• Common Ground: Both concepts emphasize the interconnected and interdependent nature of reality. Dependent Origination explains this through the lens of cause and effect, focusing on how things come into being through conditions. Interbeing expands this understanding to show that everything is connected, and nothing exists in isolation.
• Philosophical Insight: By realizing the truth of dependent origination and interbeing, one can see that the self is not a separate, independent entity but is deeply connected with others and the world. This insight can lead to a reduction in selfishness, attachment, and ignorance, which are seen as the roots of suffering in Buddhism.

Practical Implications for Life:

• Compassion and Empathy: Understanding that our actions impact others and that we are all interconnected can foster a sense of compassion and empathy for others.
• Mindful Living: Recognizing interdependence encourages mindful living, where we become more aware of the consequences of our actions on others and the environment.
• Overcoming Suffering: By understanding the nature of dependent origination, one can break the cycle of suffering by addressing the causes and conditions that give rise to it.

In essence, both Dependent Origination and Interbeing point towards a deeper understanding of existence, encouraging individuals to live with greater awareness, compassion, and interconnectedness.

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