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(Pāli;

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...

: tṛ́ṣṇā तृष्णा

IPA IPA commonly refers to: * India pale ale, a style of beer * International Phonetic Alphabet, a system of phonetic notation * Isopropyl alcohol, a chemical compound IPA may also refer to: Organizations International * Insolvency Practitioners ...

: rʂɳa) is an important concept in Buddhism, referring to "thirst,

desire Desires are states of mind that are expressed by terms like "wanting", "wishing", "longing" or "craving". A great variety of features is commonly associated with desires. They are seen as propositional attitudes towards conceivable states of aff ...

, longing, greed", either physical or mental. It is typically translated as craving, and is of three types: ''kāma-taṇhā'' (craving for sensual pleasures), ''bhava-taṇhā'' (craving for existence), and ''vibhava-taṇhā'' (craving for non-existence). ''Taṇhā'' appears in the

Four Noble Truths In Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths (Sanskrit: ; pi, cattāri ariyasaccāni; "The four Arya satyas") are "the truths of the Noble Ones", the truths or realities for the "spiritually worthy ones". Four_Noble_Truths:_BUDDHIST_PHILOSOPHY_Encycl_...

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, wherein arises with, or exists together with, ''dukkha'' (dissatisfaction, suffering, pain) and the cycle of Rebirth (Buddhism)">repeated birth, becoming and death (Saṃsāra (Buddhism)">Saṃsāra ''Saṃsāra'' (Devanagari: संसार) is a Pali/Sanskrit word that means "world". It is also the concept of rebirth and "cyclicality of all life, matter, existence", a fundamental belief of most Indian religions. Popularly, it is the c ...
).

Etymology and meaning

''Taṇhā'' is a Pali word, derived from the Vedic Sanskrit word ''tṛ́ṣṇā'' (तृष्णा), which originates from the Proto-Indo-Iranian language, Proto-Indo-Iranian wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-Iranian/tŕ̥šnas, ''*tŕ̥šnas'', which is related to the root ''tarś-'' (thirst, desire, wish), ultimately descending from

Proto-Indo-European Proto-Indo-European (PIE) is the reconstructed common ancestor of the Indo-European language family. Its proposed features have been derived by linguistic reconstruction from documented Indo-European languages. No direct record of Proto-Indo-E ...

''*ters-'' (dry). The word has the following

Indo-European The Indo-European languages are a language family native to the overwhelming majority of Europe, the Iranian plateau, and the northern Indian subcontinent. Some European languages of this family, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Dutc ...

cognates:

Avestan Avestan (), or historically Zend, is an umbrella term for two Old Iranian languages: Old Avestan (spoken in the 2nd millennium BCE) and Younger Avestan (spoken in the 1st millennium BCE). They are known only from their conjoined use as the scrip ...

''taršna'' (thirst),

Ancient Greek Ancient Greek includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Dark Ages (), the Archaic peri ...

''térsomai'' (to dry), Lithuanian ''troškimas'' (thirst, desire),

Gothic Gothic or Gothics may refer to: People and languages *Goths or Gothic people, the ethnonym of a group of East Germanic tribes **Gothic language, an extinct East Germanic language spoken by the Goths **Crimean Gothic, the Gothic language spoken b ...

''þaursus'' (dry),

Old High German Old High German (OHG; german: Althochdeutsch (Ahd.)) is the earliest stage of the German language, conventionally covering the period from around 750 to 1050. There is no standardised or supra-regional form of German at this period, and Old High ...

''durst'' (dry),

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

''thirst''. The word appears numerous times in the Samhita layer of the

Rigveda The ''Rigveda'' or ''Rig Veda'' ( ', from ' "praise" and ' "knowledge") is an ancient Indian collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns (''sūktas''). It is one of the four sacred canonical Hindu texts (''śruti'') known as the Vedas. Only one Sh ...

, dated to the 2nd millennium BCE, such as in hymns 1.7.11, 1.16.5, 3.9.3, 6.15.5, 7.3.4 and 10.91.7. It also appears in other Vedas of Hinduism, wherein the meaning of the word is "thirst, thirsting for, longing for, craving for, desiring, eager greediness, and suffering from thirst".Monier Williams, 1964
p. 454, entry for तृष्, ""
"University of Cologne, Germany

Relation to Dukkha

In the second of the

Four Noble Truths In Buddhism, the Four Noble Truths (Sanskrit: ; pi, cattāri ariyasaccāni; "The four Arya satyas") are "the truths of the Noble Ones", the truths or realities for the "spiritually worthy ones". Four Noble Truths: BUDDHIST PHILOSOPHY Encycl ...

, the Buddha identified as arising together with ''dukkha'' (suffering, pain, unsatisfactoriness). ''Taṇhā'', states Walpola Rahula, or "thirst, desire, greed, craving" is what manifests as suffering and rebirths.Walpola Sri Rahula (2007). Kindel Locations 791-809. However, adds Rahula, it is not the first cause nor the only cause of ''dukkha'' or ''samsara'', because the origination of everything is relative and dependent on something else. The Pali canons of Buddhism assert other defilements and impurities ( kilesā, sāsavā dhammā), in addition to taṇhā, as the cause of Dukkha. ''Taṇhā'' nevertheless, is always listed first, and considered the principal, all-pervading and "the most palpable and immediate cause" of ''dukkha'', states Rahula. ''Taṇhā'', states Peter Harvey, is the key origin of ''dukkha'' in Buddhism. It reflects a mental state of craving. Greater the craving, more is the frustration because the world is always changing and innately unsatisfactory; craving also brings about pain through conflict and quarrels between individuals, which are all a state of Dukkha. It is such ''taṇhā'' that leads to rebirth and endless Samsara, stated Buddha as the second reality, and it is marked by three types of craving: sensory, being or non-existence. In Buddhist philosophy, there are right view and wrong view. The wrong views, it ultimately traces to ''Taṇhā'', but it also asserts that "ordinary right view" such as giving and donations to monks, is also a form of clinging. The end of ''Taṇhā'' occurs when the person has accepted the "transcendent right view" through the insight into

impermanence Impermanence, also known as the philosophical problem of change, is a philosophical concept addressed in a variety of religions and philosophies. In Eastern philosophy it is notable for its role in the Buddhist three marks of existence. It is ...

and non-self. Both appropriate and inappropriate tendencies, states Stephen Laumakis, are linked to the fires of ''Taṇhā'', and these produce fruits of ''kamma'' thereby rebirths. Quenching and blowing out these fires completely, is the path to final release from dukkha and samsara, in Buddhism. The Pali texts, states David Webster, repeatedly recommend that one must destroy ''Taṇhā'' completely, and this destruction is necessary for

nirvana ( , , ; sa, निर्वाण} ''nirvāṇa'' ; Pali: ''nibbāna''; Prakrit: ''ṇivvāṇa''; literally, "blown out", as in an oil lampRichard Gombrich, ''Theravada Buddhism: A Social History from Ancient Benāres to Modern Colombo.' ...

. is also identified as the eighth link in the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination. In the context of the twelve links, the emphasis is on the types of craving "that nourish the karmic potency that will produce the next lifetime."Dalai Lama (1992), p. 21. (from the introduction by Jeffry Hopkins)

Types

The Buddha identified three types of ''taṇhā'':Leifer (1997), p. 98.Ajahn Sucitto (2010), Kindle Location 943-946 * ''Kāma-taṇhā'' (sensual pleasures craving): craving for sense objects which provide pleasant feeling, or craving for sensory pleasures. Walpola Rahula states that taṇhā includes not only desire for sense-pleasures, wealth and power, but also "desire for, and attachment to, ideas and ideals, views, opinions, theories, conceptions and beliefs (dhamma-taṇhā)." * ''Bhava-taṇhā'' (craving for being): craving to be something, to unite with an experience. This is ego-related, states Harvey, the seeking of certain identity and desire for certain type of rebirth eternally. Other scholars explain that this type of craving is driven by the wrong view of eternalism (eternal life) and about permanence. * ''Vibhava-taṇhā'' (craving for non-existence): craving to not experience unpleasant things in the current or future life, such as unpleasant people or situations. This sort of craving may include attempts at suicide and self-annihilation, and this only results in further

rebirth Rebirth may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Film * ''Rebirth'' (2011 film), a 2011 Japanese drama film * ''Rebirth'' (2016 film), a 2016 American thriller film * ''Rebirth'', a documentary film produced by Project Rebirth * ''The Re ...

in a worse realm of existence. This type of craving, states Phra Thepyanmongkol, is driven by the wrong view of annihilationism, that there is no rebirth.

Cessation of Taṇhā

The third noble truth teaches that the cessation of ' is possible. The ''

Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta The ''Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta'' (Pali; Sanskrit: ''Dharmacakrapravartana Sūtra''; English: ''The Setting in Motion of the Wheel of the Dharma Sutta'' or ''Promulgation of the Law Sutta'') is a Buddhist text that is considered by Buddhists t ...

'' states: : Bhikkhus, there is a noble truth about the cessation of suffering. It is the complete fading away and cessation of this craving 'taṇhā'' its abandonment and relinquishment; getting free from and being independent of it. Cessation of can be obtained by following the

Noble Eightfold Path The Noble Eightfold Path (Pali: ; Sanskrit: ) is an early summary of the path of Buddhist practices leading to liberation from samsara, the painful cycle of rebirth, in the form of nirvana. The Eightfold Path consists of eight practices: ri ...

. In Theravada Buddhism, the cessation results from the gaining of true insight into

impermanence Impermanence, also known as the philosophical problem of change, is a philosophical concept addressed in a variety of religions and philosophies. In Eastern philosophy it is notable for its role in the Buddhist three marks of existence. It is ...

and non-self. The 'insight meditation' practice of Buddhism, states Kevin Trainor, focuses on gaining "right mindfulness" which entails understanding three marks of existence - '' dukkha'' (suffering), ''

anicca Impermanence, also known as the philosophical problem of change, is a philosophical concept addressed in a variety of religions and philosophies. In Eastern philosophy it is notable for its role in the Buddhist three marks of existence. It is ...

'' (impermanence) and '' anatta'' (non-self). The understanding of the reality of non-self, adds Trainor, promotes non-attachment because "if there is no soul, then there is no locus for clinging". Once one comprehends and accepts the non-self doctrine, there are no more desires, i.e. taṇhā ceases.

Tanha versus Chanda

Buddhism categorizes desires as either Tanha or Chanda. Chanda literally means "impulse, excitement, will, desire for". Bahm states that Chanda is "desiring what, and no more than, will be attained", while Tanha is "desiring more than will be attained". However, in early Buddhist texts, adds Bahm, the term Chanda includes anxieties and is ambiguous, wherein five kinds of Chanda are described, namely "to seek, to gain, to hoard, to spend and to enjoy". In these early texts, the sense of the word Chanda is the same as Tanha. Some writers such as Ajahn Sucitto explain Chanda as positive and non-pathological, asserting it to be distinct from negative and pathological Tanha. Sucitto explains it with examples such as the desire to apply oneself to a positive action such as meditation.Ajahn Sucitto (2010), Kindle Locations 933-944, quote= Sometimes taṇhā is translated as “desire,” but that gives rise to some crucial misinterpretations with reference to the way of Liberation. As we shall see, some form of desire is essential in order to aspire to, and persist in, cultivating the path out of dukkha. Desire as an eagerness to offer, to commit, to apply oneself to meditation, is called

chanda Sanskrit prosody or Chandas refers to one of the six Vedangas, or limbs of Vedic studies.James Lochtefeld (2002), "Chandas" in The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism, Vol. 1: A-M, Rosen Publishing, , page 140 It is the study of poetic metr ...

. It’s a psychological “yes,” a choice, not a pathology. In fact, you could summarize Dhamma training as the transformation of taṇhā into chanda. In contrast, Rhys Davids and Stede state that Chanda, in Buddhist texts, has both positive and negative connotations; as a vice, for example, the Pali text associate ''Chanda'' with "lust, delight in the body" stating it to be a source of misery.Rhys Davids and Stede (1921), pp. 275-6
entry for "Chanda"
/ref> Chanda, states Peter Harvey, can be either wholesome or unwholesome.

Relation to the three poisons

and avidya (ignorance) can be related to the

three poisons The three poisons (Sanskrit: ''triviṣa''; Tibetan: ''dug gsum'') or the three unwholesome roots (Sanskrit: ''akuśala-mūla''; Pāli: ''akusala-mūla''), in Buddhism, refer to the three root kleshas: '' Moha'' (delusion, confusion), ''Raga'' ...

: * '' Avidya'' or ''Moha'' (ignorance), the root of the three poisons, is also the basis for ''taṇhā''. * ''

Raga A ''raga'' or ''raag'' (; also ''raaga'' or ''ragam''; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a musical mode, melodic mode. The ''rāga'' is a unique and central feature of the classical Indian music tradit ...

'' (attachment) is equivalent to ''bhava-taṇhā'' (craving to be) and kāma-taṇhā (sense-craving). * '' Dosha (Dvesha)'' (aversion) is equivalent to ''vibhava-taṇhā'' (craving not to be). According to Rupert Gethin, ''taṇhā'' is related to aversion and ignorance. Craving leads to aversion, anger, cruelty and violence, states Gethin, which are unpleasant states and cause suffering to one who craves. Craving is based on misjudgement, states Gethin, that the world is permanent, unchanging, stable, and reliable. For example, in the first discourse of the Buddha, the Buddha identified ''taṇhā'' as the principal cause of suffering. However, his third discourse, the ''

Fire Sermon Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames are ...

'', and other suttas, the Buddha identifies the causes of suffering as the "fires" of ''raga'', ''dosa'' (''dvesha''), and ''moha''; in the ''Fire Sermon'', the Buddha states that nirvana is obtained by extinguishing these fires.

See also

* Avidyā (Buddhism) *

Buddhism and psychology Buddhism includes an analysis of human psychology, emotion, cognition, behavior and motivation along with therapeutic practices. Buddhist psychology is embedded within the greater Buddhist ethical and philosophical system, and its psycholo ...

*

Chanda (Buddhism) Chanda (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan: ''‘dun pa'') is translated as "intention", "interest", or "desire to act". Chanda is identified within the Buddhist Abhidharma teachings as follows: * One of the ''six occasional'' mental factors in the Theravad ...

*

Kleshas (Buddhism) Kleshas ( sa, क्लेश, kleśa; pi, किलेस ''kilesa''; bo, ཉོན་མོངས། ''nyon mongs''), in Buddhism, are mental states that cloud the mind and manifest in unwholesome actions. ''Kleshas'' include states of mind su ...

*

Three poisons (Buddhism) The three poisons (Sanskrit: ''triviṣa''; Tibetan: ''dug gsum'') or the three unwholesome roots (Sanskrit: ''akuśala-mūla''; Pāli: ''akusala-mūla''), in Buddhism, refer to the three root kleshas: '' Moha'' (delusion, confusion), ''Raga'' ...

*

Twelve Nidanas Twelve or 12 may refer to: * 12 (number) * December, the twelfth and final month of the year Years * 12 BC * AD 12 * 1912 * 2012 Film * ''Twelve'' (2010 film), based on the 2002 novel * ''12'' (2007 film), by Russian director and actor Nikita ...

*

Upādāna ''Upādāna'' is a Sanskrit and Pali word that means "fuel, material cause, substrate that is the source and means for keeping an active process energized". It is also an important Buddhist concept referring to "attachment, clinging, grasping". ...

Notes

References

Sources

*

Ajahn Sucitto Ajahn Sucitto (Bhikkhu Sucitto, born 4 November 1949) is a British-born Theravada Buddhist monk (''Ajahn'' is the Thai rendition of ''ācārya'', the Sanskrit word for 'spiritual teacher'). He was, between 1992 and 2014, the abbot of ''Cittav ...

(2010). ''Turning the Wheel of Truth: Commentary on the Buddha's First Teaching''. Shambhala. * * Bodhi, Bhikkhu (trans.) (2000). ''The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya''. Boston: Wisdom Pubs. . * * Chogyam Trungpa (1972). ''"Karma and Rebirth: The Twelve Nidanas, by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche." Karma and the Twelve Nidanas, A Sourcebook for the Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies.'' Vajradhatu Publications. * * * * * * * Monier-Williams, Monier (1899, 1964). ''A Sanskrit-English Dictionary''. London: Oxford University Press. . Retrieved 2008-06-12 from "Cologne University" at http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/scans/MWScan/index.php?sfx=pdf. * P. A. Payutto
''Buddhist Economics, A Middle Way for the Market Place Chapter 2''
* Ranjung Yeshe Wiki - Dharma Dictionary. http://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/sred_pa (''sred pa'' is the Tibetan term for ''taṇhā'') * Rhys Davids, T.W. & William Stede (eds.) (1921-5). ''The Pali Text Society’s Pali–English Dictionary''. Chipstead:

Pali Text Society The Pali Text Society is a text publication society founded in 1881 by Thomas William Rhys Davids "to foster and promote the study of Pāli texts". Pāli is the language in which the texts of the Theravada school of Buddhism are preserved. The Pā ...

. Retrieved 2008-06-12 from "U. Chicago" at http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/pali/ * * Saddhatissa, H. (trans.) (1998). ''The Sutta-Nipāta''. London: RoutledgeCurzon Press. . * * Thanissaro Bhikkhu (trans.) (1997). ''Maha-nidana Sutta: The Great Causes Discourse'' ( DN 15). Retrieved 2008-01-04 from "Access to Insight" at http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.15.0.than.html. * Walpola Sri Rahula (2007). ''What the Buddha Taught''. Grove Press. Kindel Edition. * Walshe, Maurice (trans.) (1995). ''The Long Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Digha Nikaya''. Boston: Wisdom Pubs. .

Further reading

* ''Philosophy of the Buddha'' by Archie J. Bahm. Asian Humanities Press. Berkeley, CA: 1993. . ** Chapter 5 is about craving, and discusses the difference between ' and ''chanda''. * ''Nietzsche and Buddhism: A Study in Nihilism and Ironic Affinities'' by Robert Morrison. Oxford University Press, 1998. ** Chapter 10 is a comparison between Nietzsche's Will to Power and Tanha, which gives a very nuanced and positive explanation of the central role taṇhā plays in the Buddhist path.

External links

The concept of craving in early Buddhism
V Bruce Matthews (1975), PhD Thesis, McMaster University

* ttp://rywiki.tsadra.org/index.php/sred_pa Ranjung Yeshe wiki entry for ''sred pa'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Tanha Twelve nidānas Pali words and phrases