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Quest topic View in explorer

6 discourses
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

☁️ dark quality

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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Leads to
Attachment

Attachment

☁️ dark quality

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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Related
Desire

Desire

topic
💠 neutral quality

A wholesome motivation, interest, or objective that acts as the starting point for effort and application of will.

Also known as: aspiration, interest, wish, having an objective, intention, impulse
Pāli: chanda
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Featured Discourses

ITI 54 Paṭhama esan sutta - Quest (First) Understanding the different kinds of quests

The Buddha describes the three quests of sensual pleasure, renewed existence, and spiritual life.

SN 14.7 Saññānānatta sutta - Diversity Of Perceptions How quests arise

The Buddha explains how the diversity of the elements conditions a causal chain in the mind. Dependent on diverse elements, there arises a diversity of perceptions, which successively condition diverse intentions, desires, fevers, and ultimately, diverse quests.

SN 14.9 Bāhiraphassanānatta sutta - Diversity Of External Contacts Quests lead to acquisitions

The Buddha describes how dependent on the diversity of elements, there arises a diversity of perceptions, intentions, contacts, felt experiences connected with contact, desires, fevers, quests, and acquisitions.

MN 26 Pāsarāsi sutta - The Noble Quest Recounting the Buddha's noble quest for awakening

The Buddha shares his own journey of seeking the path to awakening, from leaving the household life, to studying under two meditation teachers, to attaining full awakening and an account of teaching the Dhamma to his first five disciples.

ITI 55 Dutiya esan sutta - Quest (Second) Why do quests arise

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.

UD 7.9 Udapāna sutta - Well Quests arise from the well of craving

When hostile brahmins block a well with chaff to prevent the Saṅgha from drinking, the water miraculously clears for the Buddha.