dependent co-arising

Compiled with AI assistance and selectively reviewed. Please consult the cited passages; the books remain the authoritative source. About this companion

Editorial synthesis · provisional

Definition

Dependent co-arising is the Buddhist-attributed account that phenomena arise through causes and conditions rather than possessing independent, self-grounding existence. The corpus connects it with relational becoming while preserving the reality of persons and distinctions. Dependence here does not mean that nothing exists, that every tradition teaches one doctrine, or that quantum physics proves the account.

Explanation

AB places the concept within a contemplative lineage that challenges the sealed self. It relates Thich Nhat Hanh’s interbeing to this insight without turning the person into a fiction: personal reality remains an impermanent and consequential pattern. The named antecedents should remain visible within that proposed comparison.

RB2 develops dependent origination as arising through causes and conditions and distinguishes the absence of self-grounding from nihilism. Conventional existence and emptiness of inherent existence are presented together. Its discussion also preserves real boundaries and individuality as achievements within relations, rather than dissolving every distinction into a whole.

RB3 names pratītya-samutpāda and supplies a Rahula reference, while RB1 offers neighboring discussions of Buddhist emptiness and Zen practice. These are book-specific comparisons with becoming. They do not establish that every contemplative tradition, scientific theory or relational philosophy is interchangeable.

Scope and attribution

Retain the Buddhist-attributed subentry and distinguish neighboring formulations.

AB — The Actual Book

Dependent co-arising challenges independent existence while preserving the person’s reality.

Occurrence locators: 206; Notes: 243.

RB2 — The Real Book, Volume II: Becoming Is Being

Dependent origination is not nihilism or self-grounding existence.

Occurrence locators: 196.

RB3 — The Real Book, Volume III: Murmurations

Pratītya-samutpāda is explicitly named and attributed.

Occurrence locators: 343.

Background used in the editorial explanation

Named theories and mechanisms are distinguished from neighboring background, homonyms and the author’s own synthesis. Reproduced AI passages retain their separate voice.