This Being, That Becomes
The Buddha’s Teaching on Conditionality
Dhivan Thomas Jones, with the collaboration of Sagaraghosa
“This being, that becomes; from the arising of this, that arises.” This succinct formula, recorded in texts and carved in inscriptions throughout the Buddhist world, is said to summarise the whole of the Dharma, the teaching of the Buddha. But how can such a simple summary be the conceptual formulation that characterises the experience of a Buddha, an ‘Awakened One’, a state beyond all words and concepts? Dhivan Thomas Jones tells us how, and takes us into the heart of the Buddha’s insight that everything arises in dependence on conditions. With the aid of lucid reflections and exercises he prompts us to explore how conditionality works in our own lives, and provides a sure guide to the most essential teaching of Buddhism.
Paperback, 160 pages – Published: 15/04/2011
Maitrighosha –
Insightful, accessible and fundamental for a right understanding of the whole of Buddhist practice, starting with Right View!
Gunaketu –
Dhivan uses simple and enjoyable language to bring out the meaning of this complex central teaching of the Buddha. We used it as a study text for one of our retreats, with great success.
Di –
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Priyananda –
The lonely-planet guide to Pratitya-samutpada or Conditionality! A clear, practical and open exploration, particularly as this teaching occurs in the early Buddhist canon.
Amalavajra –
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Sarah Shaw –
This book is sympathetic and very well-written, with an underlying attention to scholarly detail and with good referencing to a wide range of primary and secondary sources. It is recommended for those introducing this doctrine to students who are coming to Buddhist theory for the first time, those whose interest in Buddhism is more general, or those who would just like to think about this elusive doctrine a little more.