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In this context, what does the phrase ''follow upon'' mean? Should I take here the word 'upon'' as ''immediately or very soon after''?

Context:

Everywhere is found a perpetual change of material and mental phenomena. In this way, moment follows upon moment, day upon day, year upon year, life upon life. And so this ceaselessly changing process goes on for thousands, even aeons of years.

Source: Page.7 ''Fundamentals of Buddhism'' by Nyanatiloka Mahåthera

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  • 'Follows upon' means 'result from', while 'follows' just means 'occur immediately after'. Which meaning is intended might call for a philosopher.
    – Michael Harvey
    Commented Oct 4, 2022 at 9:30
  • Follow upon=comes after
    – Sam
    Commented Oct 4, 2022 at 10:55
  • In philosophy, we can talk about consequences or results that 'follow upon' causes. ...and certain consequences undeniably follow upon the "thing." Jacques Derrida.
    – Michael Harvey
    Commented Oct 4, 2022 at 19:33
  • Sakya, do you know there is also a Buddhism StackExchange group? Some of your questions might be better answered there than here.
    – user8719
    Commented May 16, 2023 at 11:49

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Literally, "follows upon" means "comes after".

It's a very formal phrasal verb, mostly used dramatically. It tends to have the nuance that this sequence is following some natural order, rather than having been arranged that way by humans or by random chance.

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