The Production of Renewed Existence (First Discourse)

‘Venerable Sir, it is said: ‘existence, existence.’ In what way, Venerable Sir, is there existence?’

If, Ānanda, there were no Kamma ripening in the sensory realm, would sense-sphere existence be discerned?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

Thus, Ānanda, for beings hindered by ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and fettered by craving, Kamma is the field, consciousness the seed, and craving the moisture for their consciousness to be established in an inferior realm. In this way there is the production of renewed existence in the future.

If, Ānanda, there were no Kamma ripening in the form realm, would form-sphere existence be discerned?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

Thus, Ānanda, for beings hindered by ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and fettered by craving, Kamma is the field, consciousness the seed, and craving the moisture for their consciousness to be established in a middling realm. In this way there is the production of renewed existence in the future.

If, Ānanda, there were no Kamma ripening in the formless realm, would formless-sphere existence be discerned?

‘No, Venerable Sir.’

Thus, Ānanda, for beings hindered by ignorance (unknowing of true reality) and fettered by craving, Kamma is the field, consciousness the seed, and craving the moisture for their consciousness to be established in a superior realm. In this way there is the production of renewed existence in the future.

It is in this way, Ānanda, that there is existence.

(Reference: AN 3.76)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares that due to craving and ignorance (unknowing of true reality), there is rebirth in the realms of existence.

During Gotama Buddha’s lifetime, many of his Students were very familiar with farming so we see many analogies he shares in The Teachings that can relate to a common person during that time in history. Not only does he use stories from the farming life but also training a horse and various stories related to animal life.

These are relatable references that his Students would easily understand and help them in learning and retaining The Teachings, so they could apply The Teachings in their daily life.

Planting crops and growing food would be a topic of common knowledge during the lifetime of The Buddha. So in this Teaching from The Buddha, he relates The Cycle of Rebirth to planting and growing crops.

The Field: The Natural Law of Kamma

The Seed: Consciousness (i.e. the mind)

The Moisture: Craving

In order for there to be renewed existence into a new life, there needs to be unwholesome Kamma, a consciousness, and craving. If these three factors exist, there will be a new life in a new existence.

If a being does not extinguish craving and ignorance (unknowing of true reality) the mind is still “fettered” in The Cycle of Rebirth.

The word “fetter” is defined as: “a chain or shackle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles”. The Ten Fetters are the ten (10) individual aspects of the mind that need to be eliminated to attain Enlightenment. The Ten Fetters are essentially keeping a being trapped in The Cycle of Rebirth bound to the endless cycle of continuous rebirth experiencing discontentedness over countless lives.

It is not until one eliminates The Ten Fetters that a being's mind is liberated from discontentedness and The Cycle of Rebirth. A fetter can also be referred to as a taint or pollution of the mind. A taint is an impure quality of the mind and is why these need to be eliminated to attain Enlightenment. The Ten Fetters pollute the mind not allowing us to experience the brightness and radiance of the Enlightened mind.

The Ten Fetters are the chains that bind us into The Cycle of Rebirth and to multiple lifetimes of experiencing continuous discontentedness. You must eliminate The Ten Fetters to attain Enlightenment to be liberated from discontentedness and The Cycle of Rebirth.