In some Buddhist traditions, the root cause of ignorance and desire is traced back to an event known as the "original ignorance" (mula avidya) or "primordial ignorance" (adi avidya). This refers to the fundamental misconception or misunderstanding of the true nature of reality, which arises due to the obscuration of wisdom and the influence of negative mental states such as attachment, aversion, and delusion.
According to the teachings, this original ignorance leads to the creation of karmic patterns, which perpetuate the cycle of birth and rebirth. As beings act and react based on their ignorance and desire, they accumulate karmic imprints or tendencies that shape their future experiences and lead them to take birth in different realms of existence.
Samsara is seen as a continuous process of suffering and dissatisfaction because it is characterized by impermanence, change, and the inherent limitations of conditioned existence. The goal of Buddhist practice is to overcome ignorance and desire, attain enlightenment, and break free from the cycle of samsara to achieve liberation and ultimate happiness.