During a weekly Buddhist gathering, our teacher taught about 12 links of dependent origination several months ago. One of the attendees asked why ignorance was before birth, for, it should be the reverse. I don't remember the teacher's answer and I think I don't like it since the question still stays with me but not the answer. I wanted to discuss further with the attendee but I haven't seen her in the class for a while. Even though she might forget her question already, I remember it and would like to write down before I forget.
Most of the them, for a being, we think we can adapt to changes. Therefore, there is a French saying: L'EXISTENCE PRECEDE L'ESSENCE. So, there is a body (a "brith") before it can become "ignorant". However, in Buddhist world, from an Indian tradition, people believe in reincarnation. There is a consciousness (or mind stream), which can enter the embryo, before someone can be born. Also, the 12 links should be seen as a cycle instead of a straight process where "birth" could appear "ignorance", depending on how one sees it.
Another explanation is that "birth" in here is not about body but about "consciousness" that re-affirm oneself. We do have sense faculty that sample the world. However, how does this sense faculty become an inborn sense/security that one feels the existence of oneself? So, the 12 links of dependent origination talks about this process. Therefore, this cycle happens in a fraction of second time. That is how some saying about life's existence in a matter of breathing.
I am not sure which explanation above is right. Maybe they are both right and talk about the same thing. I can only write it down now and hope to reflect on it later.
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