This article explores the connection between prejudice and the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination, which is a fundamental Buddhist teaching that explains how suffering arises and how it can be overcome. The Twelve Nidanas are a series of twelve interconnected factors, starting with ignorance and ending with old age and death, that explain the process by which suffering arises in our lives.

In the context of prejudice, the Twelve Nidanas illustrate how our habitual patterns of thought and action can lead to discrimination and suffering. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of the true nature of reality, including the interdependence and equality of all living beings, which is the root of all subsequent negative thoughts and actions. Due to ignorance, we form mental formations or habitual patterns of prejudicial thinking and discriminatory behavior.

These mental formations condition our consciousness, making us prone to experiencing and perpetuating prejudice. Our body and mind manifest in a way that is susceptible to prejudice, influenced by cultural, societal, and personal conditioning. Our sense organs interact with the external world, perceiving differences and categorizing them based on preconceived notions.

Encountering a situation or stimulus that triggers our prejudicial thinking leads to negative feelings such as fear or disdain. This negative feeling leads to the development of a desire to control or avoid the perceived threat or difference, perpetuating further prejudice and discrimination. Clinging to our prejudicial thinking and behavior intensifies the cycle of prejudice, reinforcing our habitual patterns and karmic tendencies.

To break the cycle of prejudice, we need to cultivate mindfulness and develop a deep understanding of the interdependence and equality of all living beings. Through mindfulness, ethical conduct, sensory restraint, and contemplation, we can overcome our conditioning and develop more open-minded and inclusive ways of thinking and interacting with others. By practicing compassion and developing positive social behavior, we can reduce suffering and promote positive social change.