Self-righteousness is a negative mindset that can cause suffering, both for oneself and others. Understanding the factors that perpetuate self-righteousness can promote empathy and compassion towards others. This article discusses the Twelve Nidanas of dependent origination in the context of self-righteousness, identifying the cycle of negative thoughts and behaviors that reinforce it.

The cycle of dependent origination begins with ignorance (avijja), where a person lacks understanding of the true nature of reality, including their own limitations and fallibility. This leads to mental formations (sankhara), where they seek validation and praise for their beliefs and actions, developing habitual patterns of self-righteousness.

This self-righteous mindset shapes consciousness (viññana), creating predispositions to react negatively or defensively to ideas that challenge their beliefs. Name and form (nama-rupa) take shape to reinforce and manifest their sense of righteousness, becoming invested in their sense of superiority or moral superiority.

Their sense organs interact with the external world through the six sense bases (salayatana), taking in information that reinforces their beliefs, and neglecting other perspectives. When encountering situations, people, or ideas that challenge their self-righteousness, they develop a sense of discomfort or unease (vedana).

This discomfort leads to craving (tanha), developing a desire to maintain their sense of rightness or righteousness and to control or change the external situation or people so that it aligns with their beliefs. Clinging (upadana) intensifies the attachment to their self-righteousness, leading to entrenched views and prohibiting openness to other viewpoints.

This clinging then reinforces the future tendency towards self-righteousness (bhava) and leads to the manifestation of self-righteousness in the form of holding onto their beliefs even in the face of evidence or feedback to the contrary (jati). Unaddressed self-righteousness can lead to increased conflict, divisiveness, and suffering, perpetuating negative consequences not only in this lifetime but in future ones (jara-marana).

To break the cycle of self-righteousness, one can increase their knowledge and understanding of different perspectives, and develop mindfulness and self-awareness to become conscious of the ways in which mental formations shape their consciousness. Recognizing that beliefs do not define the entirety of ones identity, actively seeking out diverse perspectives, and engaging in constructive dialogue with those who hold different beliefs are just a few ways to disrupt the cycle of self-righteousness.