As we approach the end of another year, we must also remember that we are approaching December 8th, the supposed date that Śākyamuni Buddha attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Despite the many Buddhist “teachings” that find its origins in Buddha’s attainment of Enlightenment, one of particular interest is the “12 Innen”, also known as “Dependent Origination.” Each of the 12 Innen follows a sequential order, which ultimately tells us that ignorance is the source of human suffering.
The following is the list of the 12 Innen given by the Japanese names and followed by the
English Translation.
- Mumyou: Ignorance
- Gyou: Actions
- Shiki: Consciousness
- Myoushiki: Object of consciousness
- Rohmyu: Six entrances
- Sohz: Contact with external objects
- Ju: Sensation
- Ai: Desire
- Shu: Positive or negative attachment to what one desires or detests
- U: The state of existence in transmigration
- Shou: Birth
- Roushi: Old age and death
In this following explanation, each of the 12 Innen will be referred to by their specific numbers shown above. (1) is meant to show that ignorance is the basis of indecisiveness. As a result of this, we are born into this world. As a result, (2) suggests that people have their own strong will and determination which may sometimes lead one to make immature decisions and act recklessly. However, (3) notes that having a strong will can somewhat be synonymous to having consciousness. Buddha notes that initial consciousness relates to the idea of wanting to be in your mother’s womb, or rather in fact, wanting to be born into this world. (4) is the idea that once you are inside your mother’s womb, your body and your spirit/heart develops simultaneously. (5) details the methods and objects by which we understand consciousness. They include our mind, body, or more specifically our eyes, ears, nose, and tongue, which all lead to (6). Many believe that at this point we are desperately trying to come out of our mother’s womb and enter into the human world. Once we are born into this world, we will physically be in touch with the external world and the objects that belong to this world of suffering. This is followed by (7), which includes the idea of coming to understand the pain and happiness that comes from establishing human connections. However, this also includes the idea of understanding happiness and affection that we feel towards certain objects. This emotion eventually leads to (8), which means constantly desiring pleasure and wanting to avoid suffering. (9) further describes the desires and explains that your attachments cause you to focus more on what you desires more than anything else. As we progress to (10), we see that the attachment develops to a point of overt clinging. As a result of these attachments, we continue to be born into this world as suggested by (11) and as (12) states, we experience old age and death.
The 12 Innen not only suggests the reason for continued reincarnation into this world of suffering, but the need to sever the ties between ignorance and birth. The 12 phenomena lead to future births and suffering. The specific definition of this ignorance results from lacking knowledge of the “truth.” We know that this is definitely not an easy task—it even took the Buddha 6 years to gain understanding of the ”truth”. This truth is the idea of opening up one’s Buddha nature, which requires knowledge and execution of Buddha’s teachings— understanding the Four Noble truths, the Noble Eightfold path, and chanting the Odaimoku. This task not only rids us of ignorance, but is also a necessary step towards attaining Enlightenment and bringing peace to this suffering world.
Ven. Kenjo Igarashi
November/December 2022