Bhavatanha, Bhavataṇhā, Bhava-tanha: 5 definitions

Introduction:

Bhavatanha means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Bhavatanha in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

'craving for (eternal) existence'; s. tanhā.

Source: Dhamma Study: Cetasikas

Bhava-tanha is craving for becoming. This kind of clinging may be accompanied by wrong view or not.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Discover the meaning of bhavatanha in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Bhavatanha in Buddhism glossary
Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

Bhava-tanha (craving to be) is described as follows:

1) Pali: bhava-taṇhā

2) Also referred to as craving for "becoming" or "existence"

3) This is craving to be something, to unite with an experience.

4) Ron Leifer states: "The desire for life is present in the body at birth, in its homeostatic, hormonal, and reflexive mechanisms... At the more subtle level of ego, the desire for life is the ego's striving to establish itself, to solidify itself, to gain a secure foothold, to prevail and dominate, and so to enjoy the sensuous delights of the phenomenal world. The desire for life manifests itself in all of ego's selfish, ambitious strivings..."

5) Ajahn Sucitto states: "Craving to be something is not a decision, it’s a reflex... So the result of craving to be solid and ongoing, to be a being that has a past and a future, together with the current wish to resolve the past and future, are combined to establish each individual’s present world as complex and unsteady. This thirst to be something keeps us reaching out for what isn’t here. And so we lose the inner balance that allows us to discern a here-and-now fulfillment in ourselves."

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Bhavatanha in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

bhavataṇhā : (f.) craving for rebirth.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Bhavataṇhā refers to: craving for rebirth D. III, 212, 216, 274; S. V, 432; Sn. 746; Vbh. 101, 358, 365; Th. 2, 458; ThA. 282; VbhA. III, 133.

Note: bhavataṇhā is a Pali compound consisting of the words bhava and taṇhā.

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Discover the meaning of bhavatanha in the context of Pali from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

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