Nyanatiloka Buddhist Dictionary

Home | Library | Dictionary indexBUDDHIST DICTIONARY-Ttadanga-pahána:'ovcrcoming by the opposite', is one of the 5 kinds of overcoming (pahána, q.v.).tadárammana-citta: 'registering consciousness' (s. Tab. I, 40-49, 56), is the last stage in the completeprocess of cognition (citta-víthi) immediately before sinking into the subconscious. It does not occur with theconsciousness of the absorptions nor with supermundane consciousness, but only with large or distinctobjects of the sensuous sphere. Cf. viññána-kicca.taints: ásava (q.v.).talk, low: tiracchána-kathá (q.v.).tanhá: (lit. 'thirst'): 'craving', is the chief root of suffering, and of the ever-continuing cycle of rebirths."What, o monks, is the origin of suffering? It is that craving which gives rise to ever-fresh rebirth and, boundup with pleasure and lust, now here, now there, finds ever fresh delight. It is the sensual craving(káma-tanhá), the craving for existence (bhava-tanhá), the craving for non-existence (vibhava-tanhá)'' (D.22). T. is the 8th link in the formula of the dependent origination (paticcasamuppáda, q.v.). Cf. sacca.Corresponding to the 6 sense-objects, there are 6 kinds of craving craving for visible objects, for sounds,odours, tastes, bodily impressions, mental impressions (rúpa-, sadda-, gandha-, rasa-, photthabba-,dhamma-tanhá). (M. 9; D. 15)Corresponding to the 3-fold existence, there are 3 kinds: craving for sensual existence (káma-tanhá), forfine-material existence (rúpa-tanhá), for immaterial existence (arúpa-tanhá). (D. 33)There are 18 'thought-channels of craving' (tanhá-vicarita) induced internally, and 18 induced externally; andas occurring in past, present and future, they total 108; see A. IV, 199; Vibh., Ch. 17(Khuddakavatthu-Vibhanga).According to the dependent origination, craving is conditioned by feeling; on this see D. 22 (section on the2nd Truth).Of craving for existence (bhava-tanhá ) it is said (A. X, 62): "No first beginning of the craving for existencecan be perceived, o monks, before which it was not and after which it came to be. But it can he perceived thatcraving for existence has its specific condition. I say, o monks, that also craving for existence has itscondition that feeds it (sáharam) and is not without it. And what is it? 'Ignorance', one has to reply." -Craving for existence and ignorance are called "the outstanding causes that lead to happy and unhappydestinies (courses of existence)" (s. Vis.M. XVII, 36-42).The most frequent synonyms of tanhá are rága (q.v.) and lobha (s. múla).tanhá-kkhaya: 'extinction of craving', is identical with 'extinction of cankers' (ásavakkhaya) and theattainment of perfect Holiness or Arahatship. Cf. ariya-puggala.tanhá-nissita-síla: 'morality based on craving' (s. nissaya).tathágata: the 'Perfect One', lit. the one who has 'thus gone', or 'thus come', is an epithet of the Buddha usedby him when speaking of himself.To the often asked questions, whether the Tathágata still exists after death, or not, it is said (e.g. S. XXII, 85,