Public Dharma glossary
Taṇhā
Pronunciation: TUN-haa
Canonical definition: The conditioned thirst for sense pleasure, becoming, or non-becoming, presented as the origin that intensifies dukkha.
Morphological structure
Pāli noun meaning thirst or craving.
Canonical usage
The conditioned thirst for sense pleasure, becoming, or non-becoming, presented as the origin that intensifies dukkha.
Common misunderstanding
Not every wholesome wish is taṇhā; the key is compulsive grasping and identification.
Practical significance
Seeing craving as a process creates room between feeling and reaction.
Source anchor
SN 56.11; SN 12.2
Continue with established sources
Further reading
Open complete translations and specialist reference material for deeper study.
- SN 56.11 · Setting in Motion the Wheel of the Dhamma
SuttaCentral · Bhikkhu BodhiRead the complete discourse alongside its canonical collection context.