Upādāna and Its Influence on Bhava

Abstract

Regarding the multiplicity of consequences, kamma is widely stressed more as a significant role where the diverse lives of beings are conducted in saṃsāra with reference to Mahākammavibhaṅga Sutta (M III 203). Although there are several research on kamma and rebirth, less attention has been touched on how upādāna plays an influential role more than kamma in which living-beings are differentiated, and saṃsāra is prolonged. As a cause and effect relationship, upādāna and kamma, according to Paṭiccasamuppāda, are a connection between twelve links. It is discovered that dependent on upādāna there arises bhava such as “upādānapaccayā bhavo” (S II 2). Ordinary people with various clinging or attachment to animate and inanimate objects in daily life, generate a range of actions that result in diverse future existence. Since their particular attachments are diverse, so are their actions and the effects they experience in saṃsāra. Hence, the fact is that the variety of resultant life, which is said to be diverse for beings in circle of existence, springs from the clinging of the individuals. This article reveals how upādāna is more influential than kamma in the differentiation of living beings and prolongation of saṃsāra. The current work is an attempt mainly based on Paṭiccasamuppāda.