Question

What among the following is the correct sequence of Pratityasamutpada or Dependent Origination? \[ \begin{aligned} A.& \ \text{Clinging to its enjoyment (upadana)} B.& \ \text{Impressions of karmic forces (samskara)} C.& \ \text{Psycho-physical organism (nama-rupa)} D.& \ \text{Sense-object-contact (sparsha)} \end{aligned} \] Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. C, D, B and A
• B. C, D, A and B
• C. B, C, D and A
• D. B, A and D C

Hint:

Important sequence: \[ \text{Samskara} \rightarrow \text{Nama-rupa} \rightarrow \text{Sparsha} \rightarrow \text{Upadana} \] Pratityasamutpada explains the cycle of suffering and rebirth.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept: Pratityasamutpada, also known as Dependent Origination, is one of the fundamental doctrines of Buddhism. It explains:
• the chain of causation,
• the origin of suffering,
• and the cycle of rebirth. The doctrine teaches that all phenomena arise because of causes and conditions.

Step 1: Understanding the order of dependent origination. The twelve links of dependent origination include: \[ \text{Avidya} \rightarrow \text{Samskara} \rightarrow \text{Vijnana} \rightarrow \text{Nama-rupa} \rightarrow \text{Shadayatana} \] \[ \rightarrow \text{Sparsha} \rightarrow \text{Vedana} \rightarrow \text{Trishna} \rightarrow \text{Upadana} \rightarrow \text{Bhava} \] Among the given terms, we arrange them according to their appearance in the chain.

Step 2: Identifying the earliest element among the options. \[ \text{Samskara} \] Samskara comes immediately after ignorance (avidya). Thus: \[ B = \text{First position} \]

Step 3: Finding the next link. \[ \text{Nama-rupa} \] Nama-rupa appears after consciousness (vijnana). Thus: \[ C = \text{Second position} \]

Step 4: Determining the next stage. \[ \text{Sparsha} \] Sparsha means sensory contact and comes after the six sense organs. Thus: \[ D = \text{Third position} \]

Step 5: Identifying the final stage among the options. \[ \text{Upadana} \] Upadana means attachment or clinging and appears later in the chain. Thus: \[ A = \text{Fourth position} \]

Step 6: Writing the complete correct sequence. Therefore: \[ \boxed{B \rightarrow C \rightarrow D \rightarrow A} \] Hence, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{(3)\ B, C, D \text{ and } A} \]

Step 7: Philosophical significance of Pratityasamutpada. This doctrine explains:
• suffering arises due to causes,
• ignorance leads to bondage,
• and liberation becomes possible by breaking the chain. It forms the philosophical basis of Buddhist teachings.