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Craving in Early Buddhist Thought

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Encyclopedia of Mindfulness, Buddhism, and Other Contemplative Practices

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Synonyms

Taṇhā (Pāli); Tṛṣṇā (Sanskrit)

Definition

The early Buddhist analysis of the human predicament identifies craving, literally “thirst,” as the main culprit for affliction and distress. Overcoming craving is for this reason a central aim of the mindfulness-related practices that form part of the Buddhist path to deliverance.

Craving

Craving features in the context of a central teaching in Buddhist thought in the form of the four noble truths. The second of these four considers craving to be the key factor in leading to the experience of frustration, distress, and affliction. At times, such craving is further distinguished into being directed toward sensual enjoyment, becoming, and non-becoming (Ñāṇamoli, 1995, p. 135).

Craving for sensual enjoyment is problematized in early Buddhist thought due to its tendency to seek satisfaction in external things that are not able to yield lasting and true satisfaction. Such external seeking in turn often leads to competition with others,...

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References

  • Anālayo, Bh. (2003). Satipaṭṭhāna, the direct path to realization. Windhorse Publications.

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  • Ñāṇamoli, Bh. (1995). The middle length discourses of the Buddha, a translation of the Majjhima Nikāya. Wisdom Publications.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Numata Center for Buddhist Studies, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

    Bhikkhu Anālayo

Authors
  1. Bhikkhu Anālayo
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Raleigh, NC, USA

    Nirbhay N. Singh

Section Editor information

  1. Centre for Positive Behaviour Support, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

    Yoon-Suk Hwang

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Lance Hawley

  3. West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Center for Contemplative Studies, West Chester, PA, USA

    Donald McCown

  4. NOUS-School of Specialization (PsyD) in Psychotherapy, Milano, Italy

    Fabio Giommi

  5. Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Antonino Raffone

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Anālayo, B. (2022). Craving in Early Buddhist Thought. In: Singh, N.N. (eds) Encyclopedia of Mindfulness, Buddhism, and Other Contemplative Practices. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-90465-4_7-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-90465-4_7-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-90465-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-90465-4

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