The Buddha declared in unequivocal terms that consciousness depends on matter, sensation, perception, and mental formations, and that it cannot exist independently of them. He says:
'Consciousness may exist having matter as its means (rupupayam), matter as its object (ruparammanam), matter as its support (rupapatittham), and seeking delight it may grow, increase and develop; or consciousness may exist having sensation as its means...or perception as its means...or mental formations as its means, mental formations as its object, or mental formations as its support, and seeking delight it may grow, increase and develop.
'Were a man to say: I shall show the coming, the going, the passing away, the arising, the growth, the increase or the development of consciousness apart from matter, sensation, perception and mental formations, he would be speaking of something that does not exist.'
---What the Buddha Taught, by Walpola Rahula---
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