Overview
While the cycle of dependent origination (paṭiccasamuppāda) has twelve links, orthodox Abhidhamma and commentarial methods often isolate these two specific links as the primary “roots” (mūla) of the entire wheel of suffering. They are the twin engines driving rebirth and kammic accumulation.
The List
- Avijjā - Ignorance: The fundamental inability to see the Four Noble Truths. It acts as the root from the past that drives present conditioning, blinding beings to the reality of their suffering.
- Taṇhā - Craving: The unquenchable thirst for sensual pleasure, existence, and non-existence. It acts as the root in the present that guarantees future rebirth, binding beings to the wheel of saṃsāra.
Textual References
- Canonical: Bhava Sutta (AN 3.76) – Identifies ignorance as the covering and craving as the fetter that causes beings to endlessly wander.
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapter XVII) – Explicitly designates ignorance and craving as the two outstanding roots of the round of rebirths.