(lit. 'thirst'): 'craving', is the chief root of
suffering, and of the ever-continuing cycle of rebirths. "What, o monks, is
the origin of suffering? It is that craving which gives rise to ever-fresh
rebirth and, bound up with pleasure and lust, now here, now there, finds ever
fresh delight. It is the
-
sensual craving (kāma-tanhā),
-
the craving for
existence (bhava-tanhā),
-
the craving for non-existence (vibhava-tanhā)''
(D.22).
T. is the 8th link in the formula of the dependent
origination (paticcasamuppāda). Cf.
sacca.
Corresponding to the 6 sense-objects, there are 6 kinds of
craving craving for visible objects, for sounds, odours, tastes, bodily
contacts, mental contacts (rūpa-, sadda-, gandha-, rasa-, photthabba-,
dhamma-tanhā). (M.9; D.15)
Corresponding to the 3-fold existence, there are 3 kinds:
craving for sensual existence (kāma-tanhā), for fine-material existence
(rūpa-tanhā), for immaterial existence (arūpa-tanhā). (D.33)
There are 18 'thought-channels of craving' (tanhā-vicarita)
induced internally, and 18 induced externally; and as occurring in past, present
and future, they total 108; see A. IV, 199; Vibh., Ch. 17 (Khuddakavatthu-Vibhanga).
According to the dependent origination, craving is
conditioned by feeling; on this see D. 22 (section on the 2nd Truth).
Of craving for existence (bhava-tanhā ) it is said
(A.X.62): "No first beginning of the craving for existence can be
perceived, o monks, before which it was not and after which it came to be. But
it can he perceived that craving for existence has its specific condition. I
say, o monks, that also craving for existence has its condition that feeds it (sāharam)
and is not without it. And what is it? 'Ignorance', one has to reply." -
Craving for existence and ignorance are called "the outstanding causes that
lead to happy and unhappy destinies (courses of existence)" (s. Vis.M. XVII,
36-42).
The most frequent synonyms of tanhā are
rāga and lobha (s.
mūla).

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