Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way (XXVI) — by Nagarjuna

XXVI.1. “What is hidden by ignorance” (avidyanivrta) has caused the three kinds of conditioned things(samskara) to be made for rebirth —
By those actions it, ” what is hidden by ignorance” goes forward.

XXVI.2. Consciousness, presupposing that which is conditioned (samskara), enters on its course.
When consciousness is begun, the “name-and-form’- (namarupa) is instilled.

XXVI.3. When the “name-and-form” is instilled, the six domains of sense perceptions (ayatana) are produced.
Having arrived at the six domains of sense perceptions, the process of perception begins to function.

XXVI.4. Consciousness begins to function presupposing the eye, the visual forms, and ability of mental association—
Presupposing “name-and-form.”

XXVI.5. That which is the coincidence(samnipata) of visual form, consciousness, and the eye:
That is sensual perception; and from perception, sensation begins to function.

XXVI.6. “Craving” (trsna) for existing things is conditioned by sensation.
Certainly a person craves for the sake of sensation. The one who craves acquires the four-fold acquisition(upadana) namely sexual pleasure, false views, ascetic morality and vows, and the doctrine of self-existence.

XXVI.7. When the acquisition exists, the acquirer begins to function.
If he were someone without acquisition, that being would be released, and would not exist.

XXVI.8. That being is the five “groups of universal elements” (skandha). Because of a being, birth begins to function.
Growing old, dying, sorrow (dukkha), etc., grief and regrets,

XXVI.9. Despair and agitation: all this results from birth;
That “produced being” is a single mass of sorrows (dukkha).

XXVI.10. Thus the ignorant people construct the conditioned things (samskara); that is the source for existence-in-flux.
The one who constructs is ignorant; the wise person is not one who constructs because he perceives true reality.

XXVI.11. When ignorance ceases, the constructed phenomena do not come into existence.
A person’s cessation of ignorance proceeds on the basis of “becoming” enlightened through knowledge.

XXVI.12. Through cessation of every component none functions;
That single mass of sorrow (dukkha) is thus completely destroyed.

Source: Orientalia