[Emedgella]

hi Lazy

MN 9 describes dependent origination clearly, in that all of the conditions arise together or closely together

for the DO, in relation to the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th links, the Buddha was forced to teach in a certain order

but this does not necessarily imply they always arise in that order

because DO moves from the "internal" to the "external", from the few (mind-body) to the multiple (sense bases), naturally the Buddha included the sense bases before contact

but, again, in reality, things do not always necessarily occur in that order

for example, when ignorance produces a sankhara (eg. thought formation), consciousness arises in relation to that sankhara. that sankhara is a mind-object. already, one set of sense media, namely, mind, mind-object and mind consciousness, have come into play

the sense bases more appropriately arise before consciousness (although, in reality, the arise together, simultaneously)

but, in DO, for the most part, the Buddha is describing how ignorance conditions the sankhara which then condition (stimulate, colour, etc) consciousness/mind/body to seek sense gratification externally via the sense organs

so naturally, the Buddha places the sense organs after consciousness & mind/body

for example, if the sankhara arises ("watch TV"), that is mind contact but intention may decide: "I am not going to watch TV". so the eye and ear sense base do not arise

but if the decision is made to watch TV, then the eye and ear sense base would arise and the TV contact, TV feeling, TV craving, TV becoming and TV birth would arise

so, to end, it is not always as linear as it appears on paper

the sankharas themselves are (internal) sense objects. as sense objects, they are arising at the 2nd link & known at the 3rd link

however, the Buddha puts the sense bases at the 5th link because he wishes to highlight the sense bases as being the "doors" or "windows" [as illustrated in the Tibetan Wheel of Life] to the external world

when the sankharas are thoroughly known (with mindfulness & clear comprehension) at the 2nd link, this is no longer DO. instead, it is Satipatthana (meditation)

regards

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