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Buddhism: Beliefs and Teachings

The Second Noble Truth: tanha and the three poisons

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Overview

Samudaya and tanha, the three kinds of craving in the first sermon, the three poisons and why they are also called fires, their positive opposites, and Dhammapada 334–336 on overcoming craving.

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Key term

How do Buddhist groups understand ignorance, attachment and aversion differently?

Key term

What is the Second Noble Truth?

Key term

What does samudaya mean?

Questions from this subtopic

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  1. 1

    What is the Second Noble Truth?

    Model answer

    The Second Noble Truth is that suffering has a cause. The cause is craving (tanha).

  2. 2

    What does samudaya mean?

    Model answer

    Samudaya means arising or origin. The Second Noble Truth explains where dukkha comes from.

  3. 3

    What is tanha?

    Model answer

    Tanha means craving, literally thirst. Tanha is the restless desire for things to be other than they are.

  4. 4

    What three kinds of craving are named in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta?

    Model answer

    Kama-tanha is craving for sensual pleasure. Bhava-tanha is craving to exist, and vibhava-tanha is craving not to exist.

  5. 5

    How does craving cause suffering?

    Model answer

    Craving makes people cling to things that are impermanent. The person suffers when those things change or end.

  6. 6

    What are the three poisons?

    Model answer

    The three poisons are lobha, dosa and moha. Lobha is greed or attachment, dosa is hatred or aversion, and moha is ignorance or delusion.

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