The Buddha describes the three quests of sensual pleasure, renewed existence, and spiritual life as the result of holding tight to the thought ‘This is the truth’ and the accumulation of bases for views.

ITI 55  Dutiya esanā sutta - Quest (Second)

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:

“Tisso imā, bhikkhave, esanā. Katamā tisso? Kāmesanā, bhavesanā, brahmacariyesanā imā kho, bhikkhave, tisso esanā”ti.

“There are these three |quests::searches, pursuits [esanā]||, bhikkhus.::::.| What are the three? The quest for seeking sensual pleasure, the quest for seeking existence, and the quest for |seeking renunciation::seeking spiritual life [brahmacariyesanā]|. These are the three quests.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Kāmesanā bhavesanā,
brahmacariyesanā saha;
Iti saccaparāmāso,
diṭṭhiṭṭhānā samussayā.

“The quest for seeking sensual pleasure, the quest for seeking existence,
along with the quest for seeking renunciation,
result from |holding tight to the thought, ‘This is the truth,’::clutching something as the truth [saccaparāmāsa]|
and the accumulation of |bases for views::grounds for views, opinions, beliefs [diṭṭhiṭṭhānā]|.

Sabbarāgavirattassa,
taṇhakkhayavimuttino;
Esanā paṭinissaṭṭhā,
diṭṭhiṭṭhānā samūhatā;
Esanānaṁ khayā bhikkhu,
nirāso akathaṅkathī”ti.

For one |detached from all passion::with desire faded away [sabbarāgaviratta]|,
|who is liberated through the exhaustion of craving::who is released through the depletion of desire [taṇhakkhayavimutti]|,
quests are |renounced::given up, relinquished [paṭinissaṭṭha]|,
and the bases for views are |uprooted::eradicated [samūhata]|;
with the cessation of quests, the bhikkhu
is |fulfilled::free from hope, desire-less [nirāsa]| and |without doubt::without confusion [akathaṅkathī]|.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Topics & 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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Giving up

Giving up

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
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Quest

Quest

A seeking, a pursuit, a search. It arises from holding tight the thought, ‘this is the truth.’ A quest can be for sensual pleasure, seeking existence, or seeking renunciation.

Also known as: search, pursuit
Pāli: esanā
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Self-making

Self-making

Spiritual or worldly striving to “be someone,” the “I must become something” energy

Also known as: an aspiration for identity, craving to be, drive for status or attainment, romanticizing some better self or future state
Pāli: bhavataṇhā, bhavesanā
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Sensual desire

Sensual desire

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: craving for sensuality, passion for sensual pleasures, lust, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Speculation

Speculation

A form of discursive thought that wanders into conjecture and theorizing, disconnected from direct experience. It involves moving from one idea to another through logic and argument, and is often rooted in unwise attention. Speculation can further proliferate into views and opinions.

Also known as: analytical thinking disconnected from direct experience, conjecture, discursive reasoning, theorizing, hypothesis-making, reasoned reflection
Pāli: takka, kappa
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Spiritual life

Spiritual life

A life of celibacy, contemplation, and ethical discipline lived for the sake of liberation; oriented toward inner development rather than sensual pleasures

Also known as: abstinence, celibacy, chastity, holy life, sexual restraint
Pāli: brahmacariya
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Last updated on May 19, 2026