Introduction
The beginning of the path shown by the Buddha is the principle of Dependent Origination. This profound insight—that all things arise due to conditions—is closely connected to science. In magic, phenomena occur without cause, but in science, everything arises from conditions. When the conditions are met, the corresponding phenomenon occurs precisely—this is the law of nature. Science seeks to understand and uncover these laws, and in that sense, Dependent Origination can be considered a form of science.
Through insight into this law, the Buddha illuminated the characteristics of existence: impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anatta). Based on this, he taught the Four Noble Truths, which reveal the one and only ultimate method to escape suffering.
Our task is to understand these profound teachings and follow the path the Buddha has shown. Of course, the journey is not easy. However, countless people have walked this path before, and many continue to walk it today. It would be wonderful if we could walk this path together, guided by the teachings of the Buddha and the experiences of those who have verified it. Walking this path together and supporting one another will make the journey even more meaningful.
부처님께서 보여주신 길의 시작은 연기법입니다. 세상의 모든 것은 조건에 의해 일어난다는 이 깊은 통찰은 과학과도 맞닿아 있습니다. 마법에서나 조건 없이 원하는 현상이 일어나지 과학에서는 모든 것이 조건에 의해 발생합니다. 조건이 갖춰지면 정확하게 그에 상응하는 현상이 일어나는게 자연법칙이고 그걸 이해하고 밝혀 가는게 과학입니다. 그런면에서 연기법은 과학이라고 할 수 있겠습니다.
부처님께서는 이러한 법을 통찰하심으로써 존재의 특성인 무상, 고, 무아를 밝히셨고, 이를 토대로 사성제를 설하셨으며, 그것을 통해 고통으로부터 벗어날 수 있는 궁극적인 단 하나의 방법을 알려주셨습니다.
우리는 이러한 깊은 가르침을 잘 이해하고, 부처님께서 알려주신 방법대로 잘 가기만 하면 됩니다. 물론 그 길이 쉬운 것은 아닙니다. 하지만 수많은 사람들이 그 길을 따라 걸어왔고, 지금도 걷고 있습니다. 부처님께서 알려주시고 많은 이들이 검증해 온 이 길을 함께 걸어가면 좋겠습니다. 함께 이 길을 걸으며 서로에게 힘이 되어 준다면, 더욱 의미 있는 여정이 될 것입니다.
Dependent Origination (연기법)
Dependent Origination (Paṭicca Samuppāda) is one of the most profound teachings of the Buddha, explaining the interconnectedness and interdependence of all phenomena. It describes how things arise and cease based on conditions, emphasizing that nothing exists independently. The principle of dependent origination shows that suffering (dukkha) and rebirth arise due to the presence of certain conditions, and by understanding these conditions, one can achieve liberation.
The Chain of Dependent Origination (12 Links)
The process of dependent origination is typically explained through twelve links (Dvādasa nidānāni), which illustrate the cyclical nature of saṃsāra (the cycle of birth and death). These twelve links describe the arising of suffering and how one can break free from this cycle.
- Ignorance (Avijjā, 무명): Ignorance of the true nature of reality—especially the truths of impermanence, suffering, and non-self. It is the fundamental cause of suffering.
- Mental Formations (Saṅkhāra, 행): Intentional actions or karmic formations that are conditioned by ignorance. These actions influence future rebirths and perpetuate the cycle of suffering.
- Consciousness (Viññāṇa, 식): The awareness or consciousness that arises due to mental formations. This link refers to the consciousness that leads to rebirth in a new existence.
- Name-and-Form (Nāma-Rūpa, 명색): The combination of mental (nāma) and physical (rūpa) components that constitute an individual’s existence. This includes feelings, perceptions, and the physical body.
- Six Sense Bases (Saḷāyatana, 육입처): The six sense faculties—eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind—through which individuals experience the world. These are the gateways for sense experiences.
- Contact (Phassa, 촉): Contact between the sense faculties and external objects. When the sense bases encounter an object, contact arises, leading to sensory experience.
- Feeling (Vedanā, 수): The sensations or feelings that arise from contact, which can be pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.
- Craving (Taṇhā, 애): The desire or craving for sensual pleasures, existence, or non-existence. Craving fuels attachment and perpetuates suffering.
- Clinging (Upādāna, 취): The act of grasping or attaching to desires, whether they are physical, emotional, or mental. Clinging strengthens the sense of “self” and leads to further suffering.
- Becoming (Bhava, 유): The process of coming into existence or being reborn into a particular state of existence based on karma. This leads to the continuation of saṃsāra (the cycle of rebirth).
- Birth (Jāti, 생): The actual birth or arising of a new life, marking the beginning of a new existence within saṃsāra.
- Aging and Death (Jarāmaraṇa, 노사): The inevitable process of aging and death, which leads to sorrow, lamentation, and suffering. The cycle then continues unless the chain is broken.
By understanding the twelve links of dependent origination and the interconnectedness of all phenomena, one can develop the wisdom necessary to break the cycle of suffering and attain liberation (Nibbāna). This teaching also helps deepen the understanding of the three characteristics of existence (impermanence, suffering, non-self), guiding practitioners on the path toward enlightenment.
The Four Noble Truths (사성제)
The Four Noble Truths (Cattāri Ariyasaccāni) form the foundation of Buddhist teachings. They provide a comprehensive framework for understanding suffering (dukkha) and the path to liberation from suffering. The Buddha discovered these truths in his enlightenment and taught them as the core of his teaching.
1. Dukkha (The Truth of Suffering/Unsatisfactoriness, 고성제)
This truth states that suffering is an inherent part of existence. This includes both physical and mental suffering, as well as the underlying unsatisfactoriness of life, even in moments of pleasure or happiness. All conditioned phenomena are marked by dukkha.
2. Samudaya (The Truth of the Origin of Suffering, 집성제)
The second truth explains that the cause of suffering is craving (taṇhā), attachment, and desire. This craving leads to clinging to impermanent phenomena, which inevitably results in suffering. Ignorance (avijjā) also plays a role in perpetuating this cycle of suffering by obscuring the true nature of reality.
3. Nirodha (The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering, 멸성제)
The third truth teaches that it is possible to end suffering by extinguishing craving and attachment. This state of cessation is known as Nibbāna, the complete liberation from suffering and the cycle of rebirth (saṃsāra).
4. Magga (The Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering, 도성제)
The fourth truth outlines the Noble Eightfold Path (Ariya Aṭṭhaṅgika Magga), a set of practices that lead to the cessation of suffering. This path includes Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration. By following this path, one can gradually eliminate craving, ignorance, and reach liberation.
Impermanence, Suffering/Unsatisfactoriness, and Non-Self (무상, 고, 무아)
The three characteristics of existence—anicca (impermanence), dukkha (suffering/unsatisfactoriness), and anattā (non-self)—are fundamental to understanding the nature of all conditioned phenomena in the Buddha’s teachings. Recognizing these three marks leads to the realization of the true nature of reality and helps one overcome attachment, which is the root cause of suffering.
1. Anicca (Impermanence, 무상)
All things, whether physical or mental, are subject to change. Everything arises, exists for a time, and eventually passes away. Nothing is permanent, and recognizing this helps one to detach from clinging to phenomena, leading to less suffering.
Impermanence (Anicca) explains why attachment to worldly phenomena is misguided, since everything is subject to change and decay. Craving for permanence in a world of impermanence leads to suffering (as described in the Second Noble Truth (Samudaya)).
2. Dukkha (Suffering/Unsatisfactoriness, 고)
Because everything is impermanent and subject to change, nothing can provide lasting satisfaction. Therefore, all conditioned things are marked by dukkha, which refers to the inherent unsatisfactoriness of life. Even pleasurable experiences are tinged with the underlying truth of their impermanence, leading to suffering.
Suffering (Dukkha) is an inherent part of life due to impermanence and the mistaken belief in a permanent self. The Buddha’s Third Noble Truth(Nirodha) teaches that by realizing the nature of suffering and its cause, one can end it.
3. Anattā (Non-Self, 무아)
The teaching of anattā asserts that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul. All phenomena, including what we consider to be “self,” are made up of changing processes and are not autonomous. Understanding non-self helps one let go of the illusion of a personal identity, which is a source of attachment and suffering.
Non-Self (Anattā) undermines the notion of a permanent “I” or “me.” Understanding this leads to the cessation of attachment, as described in the Fourth Noble Truth, where the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path leads to freedom from the illusion of self and the end of suffering.