Dependent Arising 4: Ignorance & Saṅkhāras

“Conditioned by ignorance, O monks, are saṅkhāras. That suchness therein, that invariability, that not-otherwiseness, that specific conditionality–that, O monks, is called Dependent Arising.” — Paccaya Sutta All these declarations make it clear that specific conditionality, paticca-samuppada, is an invariable law true for all times, whether Tathāgathas arise or not. This is a Lion’s Roar proclaiming the greatness of this timeless law known by the Buddhas. “From ignorance as a condition, saṅkhāras arise... But with the remainderless fading away and cessation of ignorance, comes cessation of saṅkhāras.” — Bodhi Sutta With the complete cessation of ignorance, all the other links up to decay and death cease. This cessation occurs immediately! This is an extremely deep point: the combined attention in the forward and reverse phases.