# [[(2026-06-15) Vilas on Assaji's Quote to Sariputta]] > [!quote] > I reflect on the verse of Assaji in this matter said to Sariputta which I want to put it here as this another insight. > > **Ye dhammā hetuppabhavā — All phenomena arise from causes** > > **Pāli:** > > **Ye dhammā hetuppabhavā,** > **tesaṃ hetuṃ tathāgato āha;** > **tesañca yo nirodho,** > **evaṃvādī mahāsamaṇo.** > > **Meaning:** > > Whatever phenomena arise from causes, > the Tathāgata has explained their causes; > and also their cessation. > Such is the teaching of the Great Samaṇa. > > For example with relation to fever and throat infection: > > **Ye dhammā hetuppabhavā** — this fever and throat infection have causes. > > The causes may be changing weather conditions, weak immunity, contact with a person having viral infection, unsuitable food, lack of rest, or other conditions. > > **Tesaṃ hetuṃ tathāgato āha** — the Buddha teaches us to understand causes and conditions wisely. > > When we understand the causes, we do not merely suffer blindly. We respond with common sense — rest, medicine, proper food, warm water, avoiding further exposure, and taking care of the body. > > **Tesañca yo nirodho** — when the causes and supporting conditions are removed or weakened, the disease also reduces and ceases. > > **Evaṃvādī mahāsamaṇo** — thus teaches the Great Samaṇa, through the principle of dependent arising. > > In the same way: > > **Ye dhammā hetuppabhavā** — this anger also has causes. > > **Tesaṃ hetuṃ tathāgato āha** — the causes may be contact, unpleasant feeling, wrong perception, conceit, memory, expectation, attachment, and unwise attention. > > **Tesañca yo nirodho** — if these causes are not fed, anger gradually ceases. > > If contact is guarded, if feeling is understood, if perception is corrected, if conceit is weakened, if unwise attention is abandoned, then anger loses its fuel. > > **Evaṃvādī mahāsamaṇo** — thus teaches the Great Samaṇa, for ending the suffering of holding anger, hatred, attachment, or anything at all. > > **==Therefore, Dhamma is not belief.==** > **==Dhamma is understanding causes, removing causes, and ending suffering.==**