the link goes like this : 12 ) aging and dying stem from birth , for without birth there would be no death ; 11 ) birth is caused by existence , every living thing that exists seeks to prolong or duplicate its existence thus causing birth ; 10 ) existence is caused by attachment , 9 ) attachment is caused by desire , 8 ) desire is caused by sensation , 7 ) sensation is caused by contact , 6 ) contact is caused by the six sense organs , 5 ) the six sense organs are caused by name and form , 4 ) name and form are caused by consciousness , 3 ) consciousness is caused by karma , 2 ) karma is caused by ignorance , and 1 ) ignorance is the ultimate link in the chain .