The "Book of Causation" is the second book in the Saṁyutta Nikāya. It is named after the first and longest saṁyutta, which explores causation through the Buddha's foundational teaching of dependent co-arising. The remaining nine saṁyuttas address various secondary themes, with some organized by subject matter and others by the individuals involved in the teachings. This book delves into the intricate web of cause and effect, offering insights into the nature of existence and the process of becoming.
The Group of Linked Discourses Beginning With Causation
The "Linked Discourses on Causation" contains discourses on dependent co-arising (paṭiccasamuppāda). Dependent co-arising presents a series of conditional links laying out the process of becoming and the arising of suffering. These teachings explore the interdependent nature of existence, illustrating how one condition leads to another in a chain of causation. By examining the causes and conditions that give rise to suffering, these discourses offer insights into the nature of reality and the conditions for liberation.
The "Linked Discourses on Complete Comprehension" contains discourses that use vivid similes to illustrate the value of realizing the Dhamma.
The "Linked Discourses on the Elements" contains discourses exploring elements shaping experience, with a focus on the six sensory elements — eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind. These elements are examined for their role in generating contact, perception, and feeling, showing how sensory experience drives attachment and aversion. Other discourses address mental elements (e.g., forgetful, reckless, mindful) and the four great elements—earth, water, fire, and air — representing the basic physical structure of existence.
The "Linked Discourses on the Inconceivable Beginning" contains discourses exploring the beginningless nature of saṁsāra, the cycle of birth and death. These teachings challenge the idea of a first point in time, suggesting that saṁsāra has no discernible origin. By examining the endless cycle of rebirth and the causes of suffering, these discourses offer insights into the nature of existence and the conditions for liberation.
The "Linked Discourses on Acquisitions and Respect" contain teachings on the danger of acqusitions, respect, and popularity for spiritual practitioners. The Buddha emphasizes how these worldly rewards are harsh, bitter, severe, and obstructive, leading to complacency, attachment, and spiritual downfall. Through vivid similes — such as comparing acquisitions and respect to a fisherman's baited hook — the discourses highlight how even accomplished practitioners can become ensnared if they relish praise and recognition.
The "Linked Discourses with Similes" contains discourses that use vivid similes to illustrate the Buddha's teachings. These similes draw on everyday experiences and natural phenomena to convey profound truths about the nature of reality, the path to liberation, and the qualities of an awakened being. By comparing spiritual principles to familiar objects and situations, these discourses offer accessible and memorable insights into the Dhamma.