Pratītyasamutpāda
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Pratītyasamutpāda, commonly translated as dependent origination, or dependent arising, is a key doctrine in Buddhism shared by all schools of Buddhism. It states that all dharmas (phenomena) arise in dependence upon other dharmas: "if this exists, that exists; if this ceases to exist, that also ceases to exist". The basic principle is that all things arise in dependence upon other things.
Brick inscribed with the Sutra on Dependent Origination. Found in Gopalpur, Gorakhpur District, Uttar Pradesh. Dated c. 500 CE, Gupta period. Ashmolean Museum.
A circular schema of the 12 nidanas as understood in Theravada Buddhist scholasticism
In Tibetan Buddhism, the 12 nidanas are typically shown on the outer rim of a wheel of existence. This is a common genre of art found in Tibetan temples and monasteries. The three poisons (greed, hatred and delusion) sit at the very center of wheel.
Rebirth (Buddhism)
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Rebirth in Buddhism refers to the teaching that the actions of a sentient being lead to a new existence after death, in an endless cycle called saṃsāra. This cycle is considered to be dukkha, unsatisfactory and painful. The cycle stops only if Nirvana (liberation) is achieved by insight and the extinguishing of craving. Rebirth is one of the foundational doctrines of Buddhism, along with karma and Nirvana. Rebirth was a key teaching of early Buddhism along with the doctrine of karma. In Early Buddhist Sources, the Buddha claims to have knowledge of his many past lives. Rebirth and other concepts of the afterlife have been interpreted in different ways by different Buddhist traditions.
A Bhavachakra ("Wheel of Existence") depicting the six realms of existence in which a sentient being can be reborn into, according to the rebirth doctrine of Buddhism
The Indian Buddhist philosopher Dharmakīrti (fl. c. 6th or 7th century) outlined one of the most influential arguments for rebirth.