Dependent Origination is the deeper meaning of the Middle Way taught by the Buddha as the path to Nirvana. It is the Middle Way between the one-sided view of existence, which a states that life is made up of separate independent substances, and the one-sided view of non-existence, which asserts that nothing in life is real. Neither of these extreme views recognizes life as a dynamic and interdependent process. Dependent Origination is the teaching that things have an existence based on causes and conditions. Therefore, one who is following the Middle Way will think in terms of causes and conditions rather than in terms of existence and non-existence. For the follower of the Middle Way, there are no longer any static or unchanging categories or boundaries.

Dependent Origination is the awareness of cause and effect, and the interdependence of all things. This awareness gives rise to an authentic sense of responsibility, genuine love, and compassion.