How Dependent Origination Explains the Nature of Reality

Introduction: What is Reality?

Most people assume reality is fixed and objective. But Buddhism suggests that reality is a fluid, interconnected web of conditions.

By the end of this article, you’ll understand:
✅ Why reality is not independent but interdependent
✅ How our perception is shaped by conditions
✅ How seeing the world as interconnected reduces suffering

The Illusion of an Independent Reality

🔹 Everything we experience is shaped by perception.
🔹 Perception itself is conditioned by culture, emotions, and prior experiences.

📌 Example:

• A rainy day feels miserable to one person and refreshing to another.
• A job loss might be a disaster to one person but an opportunity to another.

💡 Key Lesson: Reality is not absolute—it’s shaped by conditions and interpretations.

🌿 Understanding this makes us more adaptable, resilient, and open-minded.