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MN 79 - Culasakuludayi Sutta

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MN 79 - Culasakuludayi Sutta

This discourse contains the classic, abstract formula of Idappaccayatā (Specific Conditionality), which serves as the structural foundation for the entire teaching of Dependent Origination (Paṭicca-samuppāda).

The Core Formula of Conditionality

The Buddha introduces the Dhamma using this two-fold formula of arising and cessation:

Pali

धम्मं ते देसेस्सामि—
इमस्मिं सति इदं होति, इमस्सुप्पादा इदं उप्पज्जति;
इमस्मिं असति इदं न होति, इमस्स निरोधा इदं निरुज्झती”ति।

Sanskrit Chaya

धर्मं ते देशयामि—
अस्मिन् सति इदं भवति, अस्योत्पादादिदमुत्पद्यते।
अस्मिन्नसति इदं न भवति, अस्य निरोधादिदं निरुध्यत इति॥

English Translation

“I will teach you the Dhamma—
When this exists, that comes to be; with the arising of this, that arises.
When this does not exist, that does not come to be; with the cessation of this, that ceases.”

Word Meanings

Word-by-Word Analysis

  • धम्मं (dhammaṃ) / धर्मं (dharmaṃ): the Dhamma / the Truth / the Law
  • ते (te): to you
  • देसेस्सामि (desessāmi) / देशयामि (deśayāmi): I will teach / show
  • इमस्मिं (imasmiṃ) / अस्मिन् (asmin): in this / when this
  • सति (sati) / सति (sati): existing / being present (locative absolute of sant)
  • इदं (idaṃ) / इदं (idaṃ): this / that (consequent)
  • होति (hoti) / भवति (bhavati): is / comes to be
  • इमस्सुप्पादा (imassuppādā) / अस्योत्पादात् (asyotpādāt): from the arising (uppādā / utpādāt) of this (imassa / asya)
  • उप्पज्जति (uppajjati) / उत्पद्यते (utpadyate): arises / is produced
  • असति (asati) / असति (asati): not existing / being absent (locative absolute of asant)
  • न (na): not
  • निरोधा (nirodhā) / निरोधात् (nirodhāt): from the cessation / destruction
  • निरुज्झति (nirujjhati) / निरुध्यते (nirudhyate): ceases / is extinguished

Philosophical Significance: Idappaccayatā

This formula represents Idappaccayatā (Sanskrit: Idampratyayatā), literally “this-conditionedness” or “specific conditionality.”

It is characterized by:

  1. Lack of First Cause: Events do not arise from a single prime mover or creator, nor do they arise randomly. They arise dependent on specific conditions.
  2. Causal Necessity (Arising): If the cause (x) is present, the effect (y) must follow.
  3. Causal Cessation (Extinguishment): If the cause (x) is completely removed, the effect (y) cannot stand and must cease. This provides the practical basis for liberation: by extinguishing ignorance (avijjā), the entire mass of suffering is dismantled.