This book discusses various aspects of the doctrine of dependent origination. It is compiled from the conversations of the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw with students who are intensively practicing meditation at his meditation center in Rangoon. The teaching given by Mahasi Sayadaw is oriented towards practical application and is not intended for purely academic study.

The doctrine of dependent origination expresses the very essence of the Buddhist view – impermanence, unsatisfactory existence, lack of self. Understanding this teaching through insight meditation leads to breaking the chain of conditioning and achieving nibbana. In his conversations, Mahasi Sayadaw describes in detail and deeply both all the links of dependent origination, as well as various aspects of insight meditation for their knowledge.