The Wheel of Existence

The Wheel of Existence
(as taught by Siddhartha Gautama)

From uncertainty,
change arises;
From change,
consciousness arises;
From consciousness,
name and form arise;
From name and form,
the six organs of sense arise;
From the six organs of sense,
contact arises;
From contact,
sensation arises;
From sensation,
desire arises;
From desire,
attachment arises;
From attachment,
existence arises;
From existence,
birth arises;
From birth,
old age and death,
sorrow, lamentation,
misery, grief, and despair
arise.

Thus this entire aggregation
of misery arises.

When uncertainty fades out and ceases,
change comes to an end;
When change ceases,
consciousness comes to an end;
When consciousness ceases,
name and form come to an end;
When name and form cease,
the six organs of sense come to an end;
When the six organs of sense cease,
contact comes to an end;
When contact ceases,
sensation comes to an end;
When sensation ceases,
desire comes to an end;
When desire ceases,
attachment comes to an end;
When attachment ceases,
existence comes to an end;
When existence ceases,
birth comes to an end;
When birth ceases,
old age and death,
sorrow, lamentation,
misery, grief and despair
come to an end as well.

Thus this entire aggregation
of misery ceases.

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©2008 John G. Cunyus
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John Cunyus is a
freelance philosopher
working in North Texas.
www.johncunyus.com