Tanhā (Craving or Thirst)

Tanhā (तण्हा Pāli; Sanskrit: तृष्णा tṛṣṇā, meaning “craving” or “thirst”) is a central concept in Buddhist philosophy, referring to the intense desire or attachment to sensory pleasures, existence, and non-existence. It is one of the primary causes of suffering (dukkha) and the driving force behind the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).

The Buddha identified tanhā as the second of the Four Noble Truths, which explain the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation. According to the Second Noble Truth, suffering arises from tanhā, which manifests in three main forms:

1. Kāma-tanhā काम-तृष्णा: Craving for sensory pleasures, such as sights, sounds, tastes, and physical experiences. This includes the desire for material possessions, relationships, and external conditions that one believes will bring happiness.
2. Bhava-tanhā भव-तृष्णा: Craving for existence or becoming, the desire for continued life or for specific states of being. This can be a longing for continued existence in samsara or attachment to particular identities or roles.
3. Vibhava-tanhā विभव-तृष्णा: Craving for non-existence or self-annihilation, the desire to escape from unpleasant experiences or states of being. This form of craving can include a wish for total extinction or the end of suffering through negation.

Tanhā is closely linked to the concept of attachment (upādāna) and ignorance (avidyā). Together, they perpetuate the deluded belief in a permanent self (attā) and reinforce the cycle of samsara. When beings cling to the objects of their desire, they experience dissatisfaction, frustration, and suffering, as these objects are inherently impermanent and incapable of providing lasting fulfillment.

The cessation of tanhā is essential for the attainment of nirvāṇa, the state of liberation from suffering. This cessation, called nirodha, is achieved through following the Noble Eightfold Path, which leads to the eradication of craving, attachment, and ignorance. By cultivating wisdom (prajñā), ethical conduct (śīla), and mental discipline (samādhi), practitioners can gradually weaken the power of tanhā and eventually overcome it, leading to freedom from samsara.

In sum, tanhā represents the root cause of suffering in Buddhist teachings, and its transcendence is key to attaining enlightenment. By recognizing and understanding the nature of craving, individuals can begin the process of letting go of attachment and realizing the true nature of reality.

Buddhist Lexicon

तृष्णा Tanhā