The Heart of Dependent Origination

The Heart of Dependent Origination (Skt. pratītyasamutpādahṛdaya) — a short text written by Nagarjuna on the heart or 'essence' (Skt. hṛdaya) of dependent origination in just seven stanzas. He shows how the twelve links of dependent origination can be further condensed into the three categories of afflictions, karma and suffering, and how all phenomena, being interdependent, are empty of true existence.

Text

• Nāgārjuna, rten cing 'brel par 'byung ba'i snying po'i tshig le'ur byas pa. Toh 1135, Dergé Tengyur, vol. 96 (dbu ma, tsa): 146b.2–146b.7
  • English translation: The Heart of Dependent Origination by Nagarjuna

Commentaries

• Nagarjuna, autocommentary
• Jamyang Loter Wangpo, Commentary on Nāgārjuna's Verses on the Essence of Dependent Origination (Skt. pratītyasamutpāda hṛdaya kārikā)
  • English translation: Commentary on Nāgārjuna's Verses on the Essence of Dependent Origination