Craving cause of suffering Second Noble Truth Literally

Craving • • cause of suffering (Second Noble Truth) Literally means ‘thirst’ From craving springs grief From craving springs fear Leads to repeated births (rebirths=ponobhavika) Craving for sensual pleasures (kamatanha) Craving for existence (Bhavatanha) Craving for non-existence (vibhavatanha)

Craving 2 • Complete separation from, destruction of, craving • Transcend material pleasures → greater bliss • Forsake craving, renunuciation, nonattachment →liberation

Kinds of craving Three kinds: 1. Attachment to sensual pleasures (kamatanha) – grossest form of craving 2. Attachment to existence (bhavatabha) • Attachment to realms of form 3. Attachment to non-existence (vibhavatabha) • Attachment to formless realms (ruparaga & aruparaga are treated as 2 fetters) • 2 & 3 are attachment to sensual pleasures connected with belief of eternalism & nihilism

Craving Powerful mental force latent in all Chief cause of most ills of life Gross or subtle → repeated births Makes one cling to all forms of life Grossest forms are attenuated on attainment of sakadagami (2 nd stage of sainthood); • Grossest forms are eradicated on attainment of anagami (3 rd stage of sainthood) • Subtle forms are eradicated on attainment of arahantship • • •

Craving & Four Noble Truths • Right understanding of First Noble Truth →eradication of craving • Second Noble Truth –deals with mental attitude of ordinary man towards external objects of sense • Third Noble Truth – complete cessation of suffering (Nibbana) –ultimate goal of Buddhists –achieved in this life by total eradication of craving

Consequences of craving • Grief • Fear • Repeated rebirths