The Buddha identifies the origin of dukkha as tanha, often translated as “craving” or “thirst.” He says: “It is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there; that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for non-existence.” That’s a mouthful, but it’s precise. Craving …
In Buddhism, Dana (Sanskrit and Pali: दान, दान) refers to the practice of giving or generosity. It is one of the foundational practices of Buddhist ethics and is considered one of the three bases of meritorious action (alongside morality, sila, and meditation, samadhi). Here’s a breakdown of the concept: Meaning and Practice: Significance: Forms of Dana in …
The First Noble Truth: There Is Suffering The Buddha begins with a simple, unflinching observation: suffering exists. He’s not saying life is only suffering—there’s joy, love, and beauty too—but he’s pointing out a fundamental reality we all encounter. In his words, as recorded in the Pali Canon, suffering includes “birth, aging, illness, death; sorrow, lamentation, …