Tṛṣṇā

Thirst, craving, the root cause of suffering — the second of the [[Four Noble Truths]]. [[Buddha]] identified tṛṣṇā as the chain that binds beings to the cycle of birth and death (samsara).

Three forms are distinguished: craving for sensual pleasure (kāma-taṇhā), craving for existence (bhava-taṇhā), and craving for non-existence (vibhava-taṇhā). Each is a mode of grasping that perpetuates dukkha.

The cessation of thirst (tanhakkhaya) is synonymous with liberation. The [[Dhammapada]] opens with the famous verse: “All phenomena are preceded by mind, led by mind, formed by mind” — and it is tṛṣṇā that shapes the mind’s compulsive movement.