Law of Causation

by Thich Thanh Tu

Besides the Laws of Permanence and Cause and Effect, the Buddha also preached the Law of Causation. Through his meditation, Buddha observed that a thing does not exist independently by itself. Every existence is a combination. Without such as composition, nothing actually exists. To be is to be under the formation of causes and conditions.

Let's try some observations as the Buddha did. Scientists now confirm that the human body is a combination of one hundred trillion cells which create the formation of blood, bones, and inner organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, stomach, intestines... and outer organs such as eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin, etc. Lacking one or more of these components, a body does not function properly or simply cannot exist.

The Law of Causation shows that in humans, there is no such thing called the "ego" or "self". The concept of "I" or "You", with the underlying idea that "Mine" is always better than "Yours" is a delusion. Actually, if "my" condition is better than "yours", it is only because the karma of my previous life is not the same, rather than because my body is better than yours.

In addition, even if the body is made from a perfect junction of cells and organs, it will not last long if there is no proper provision of fresh air, nutritious food, and potable water.

In other words, the Law of Causation also means that: "Things only exist when there are enough causes which come together under favourable conditions, and things will disintegrate when causes or conditions are scattered".

Obviously, to be a human, there are numerous causes and conditions that blend together and create an existence. From the day a mature egg met a healthy sperm and grew in a womb, there are countless unfavourable causes and conditions that may abolish the chance of being born a healthy human child.

Statistics show that in the Third World, the percentage of young children who survive their harsh environment after seven years of age is also very low. Apparently, being born in the Third World is having less favourable causes and conditions than in the industrialised world.

The Buddha explained that the earnest observations of any events in daily life, one can recognise that nothing happens without numerous causes and conditions involved.

Normally, they appear in innumerable forms that result in good or bad occurrences, depending on one's karma. When karma is formed and causes and conditions cast on, it is not in anyone's hand to control the event anymore; not even Gods.

Scientists today express the same about the Law of Causation. If there is enough Oxygen and Hydrogen in proper proportions and if the condition is favourable, it will produce Water (2H + O = H2O). Otherwise, no water exists. This same law applies to all aspects of the human world, including family structures, politics, economics, and social activities.