The Buddha teaches on the arising of craving, presenting a fourfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 4.9 The Arising of Craving

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, taṇhuppādā yattha bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati. Katame cattāro? Cīvarahetu vā, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati; piṇḍapātahetu vā, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati; senāsanahetu vā, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati; itibhavābhavahetu vā, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro taṇhuppādā yattha bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjatīti.

Taṇhā dutiyo puriso,
dīghamaddhāna saṁsaraṁ;
Itthabhāvaññathābhāvaṁ,
saṁsāraṁ nātivattati.

Evamādīnavaṁ ñatvā,
Taṇhaṁ dukkhassa sambhavaṁ;
Vītataṇho anādāno,
Sato bhikkhu paribbaje”ti.

Navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, taṇhuppādā yattha bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati.

“Mendicants, there are four things that give rise to craving in a mendicant.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Cīvarahetu vā, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati;

For the sake of robes,

piṇḍapātahetu vā, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati;

almsfood,

senāsanahetu vā, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati;

lodgings,

itibhavābhavahetu vā, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjati.

or rebirth in this or that state.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro taṇhuppādā yattha bhikkhuno taṇhā uppajjamānā uppajjatīti.

These are the four things that give rise to craving in a mendicant.

Taṇhā dutiyo puriso,

Craving is a person’s partner

dīghamaddhāna saṁsaraṁ;

as they transmigrate on this long journey.

Itthabhāvaññathābhāvaṁ,

They go from this state to another,

saṁsāraṁ nātivattati.

but don’t escape transmigration.

Evamādīnavaṁ ñatvā,

Knowing this drawback—

Taṇhaṁ dukkhassa sambhavaṁ;

that craving is the cause of suffering—

Vītataṇho anādāno,

rid of craving, free of grasping,

Sato bhikkhu paribbaje”ti.

a mendicant would wander mindful.”

Navamaṁ.

Qualities:

Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
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Craving

Craving

A driving ‘thirst’ that reaches out toward experiences, identities, or outcomes as the place to find satisfaction—“if only I had that.” It spins stories of lack, binds the mind to becoming, and invariably leads to suffering.

Also known as: wanting, yearning, longing, lit. thirst
Pāli: taṇha, abhijjhā
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026