The Three Levels of Dependent Origination

The three levels of dependent origination are classified from the grossest to the subtlest as follows:

1. Causal Dependent Origination

“Dependent origination of the result’s dependence on the causes” — or, in simple terms, causal dependent origination. This level establishes that every effect is dependent on causes and conditions. It is the grossest level, and is typically the only one accepted by the lower schools (Vaibhāṣika, Sautrāntika, and Cittamātra), who apply it only to impermanent phenomena.

2. Dependent Origination of the whole’s dependence on the parts

“Dependent origination of the whole’s dependence on the parts.” This level describes how the whole cannot exist without the parts, and the parts are dependent on the whole. Unlike the first level, this is applicable to all phenomena, both permanent and impermanent.

3. Dependent Origination of dependence on mere mental designation

“Dependent origination of dependence on mere mental designation” — also referred to as “the subtlest level,” this is mental imputation (btags yod). This level teaches that things do not have any existence from their own side, independent of language, verbalisation, and mental imputation. Realising this third level is considered equivalent to understanding Emptiness (stong pa nyid).

Key Distinctions

While the first level is confined to composite or impermanent phenomena, the second and third levels are applicable to all phenomena across the board of existence — whether permanent or impermanent.

Requirement for Emptiness: Simply understanding the first and second versions of dependent origination does not necessarily entail understanding Emptiness; one must comprehend the third level to truly understand the Madhyamaka view.

Further, subjecting the Leaf to Ultimate Analysis to See if it exists objectively or not: