<p><strong>Why would one have the desire for enlightenment?</strong></p>

<p>In my experience it's something like:</p>

<ol>
<li>Craving</li>
<li>Suffering</li>
<li>Want to satisfy craving to end suffering -- but craving is unsatisfiable -- so is there an alternative?</li>
</ol>

<p>Then it's suggested that that there's not only a solution for <em>this</em> problem but for <em>all</em> problems i.e. "enlightenment".</p>

<p>After which I guess that ("enlightenment") might for some people become a new, shiny, object-of-craving.</p>

<p>I guess that (i.e. "enlightenment as an object of craving") also happens when enlightenment is valued in society like money or status or power -- instead of "I'm richer than you" or "I'm better born then you" it's "I'm more enlightened than you".</p>

<hr>

<p>You wrote ...</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>From this question, we see answers stating that one has the wholesome desire for enlightenment, and not craving for enlightenment</p>
</blockquote>

<p>... but I don't think that's quite right: instead I guess that people <em>can</em> even have an (unskilful) "craving" for (imaginary) "enlightenment" -- what that question was saying was only that some desires are wholesome.</p>

<p><a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/17748/254">This answer</a> for example suggested that "craving" is an split between what's wanted and what is. I suppose that wholesome desire is, by contrast:</p>

<ul>
<li>Wanting something wholesome</li>
<li>Skilfully acting to reduce or zero the distance between what's wanted and want is</li>
</ul>

<hr>

<p><strong>Could unwholesome craving cause the wholesome desire for enlightenment?</strong></p>

<p>Things have <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=ultimate+proximate+cause" rel="nofollow noreferrer">several causes</a>. I suppose that craving might cause a need for liberation (i.e. cause dukkha and a state in which cessation of dukkha is desirable), but it's because of right view (rather than craving) that unwholesome craving becomes wholesome desire.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-13T00:10:01.413Z
2019-07-13T00:10:01.413Z
ChrisW
<p>Having craving for enlightenment leads to extreme effort that balanced effort. This can also lead to extreme ascetic practices. Craving for enlightenment is craving for non-existence (Nirvana), becoming enlightenment being an or some form of some Brahmic or divine existence. </p>

<p>Being motivated to achieve enlightenment does not lead to extremities. This is not excessive desire  (Tanha) but intention or motivation  (Chanda). If developed this way it becomes an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iddhipada" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Irddipada</a>.</p>

<p>The distinction makes here is the desire to become or desire to act without too much attachment to the result. If your desire is to become your goal is bigger than the path and you might justify any path which you might think will take you there. This can be the wrong path or even excessive effort. If you are limited to taking action, without excessive desire for the end result, then you will take balanced steps on the right path. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-13T02:39:16.490Z
It is amount and direction.
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-13T02:32:36.557Z
2019-07-13T03:50:15.293Z
2019-07-13T03:50:15.293Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p>Why would one have desire fo enlightenment? Well, to end suffering. Why would one have desire for suffering? If you don't feel like ending your suffering, maybe you're not aware engough to pursue Buddhist path. Stick to philosphy and religion. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-07-11T17:13:32.133Z
2019-07-11T17:13:32.133Z
Marino Klisovich
<p>From <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/33969/471">this question</a>, we see answers stating that one has the wholesome desire for enlightenment, and not craving for enlightenment. In <a href="https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/29040/471">this question</a>, we read about the difference between desire (<em>chanda</em>) and craving (<em>tanha</em>).</p>

<p>There are 3 types of craving - sensual craving (<em>kama tanha</em>), craving for becoming (<em>bhava tanha</em>) and craving for non-becoming (<em>vibhava tanha</em>) according to <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.3.050-099.than.html#iti-058" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Iti 58</a>.</p>

<p>Why would one have the desire for enlightenment? Or the desire to end suffering?</p>

<p>If the desire for enlightenment comes from aversion towards suffering, then isn't it due to a craving for non-becoming (<em>vibhava tanha</em>)?</p>

<p>If the desire for enlightenment comes from wanting to become someone as revered as the Buddha or other Arahants, then isn't it due to a craving for becoming (<em>bhava tanha</em>)?</p>

<p>Could unwholesome craving cause the wholesome desire for enlightenment?</p>

<nirvana><craving><desire>
Could unwholesome craving cause the wholesome desire for enlightenment?
# Could unwholesome craving cause the wholesome desire for enlightenment?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-07-11)

From [this question](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/33969/471), we see answers stating that one has the wholesome desire for enlightenment, and not craving for enlightenment. In [this question](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/q/29040/471), we read about the difference between desire (*chanda*) and craving (*tanha*).

There are 3 types of craving - sensual craving (*kama tanha*), craving for becoming (*bhava tanha*) and craving for non-becoming (*vibhava tanha*) according to [Iti 58](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/iti/iti.3.050-099.than.html#iti-058).

Why would one have the desire for enlightenment? Or the desire to end suffering?

If the desire for enlightenment comes from aversion towards suffering, then isn't it due to a craving for non-becoming (*vibhava tanha*)?

If the desire for enlightenment comes from wanting to become someone as revered as the Buddha or other Arahants, then isn't it due to a craving for becoming (*bhava tanha*)?

Could unwholesome craving cause the wholesome desire for enlightenment?

**Tags:** nirvana, craving, desire


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-07-13. Score: 1

**Why would one have the desire for enlightenment?**

In my experience it's something like:

1. Craving
2. Suffering
3. Want to satisfy craving to end suffering -- but craving is unsatisfiable -- so is there an alternative?

Then it's suggested that that there's not only a solution for *this* problem but for *all* problems i.e. "enlightenment".

After which I guess that ("enlightenment") might for some people become a new, shiny, object-of-craving.

I guess that (i.e. "enlightenment as an object of craving") also happens when enlightenment is valued in society like money or status or power -- instead of "I'm richer than you" or "I'm better born then you" it's "I'm more enlightened than you".

---

You wrote ...

> From this question, we see answers stating that one has the wholesome desire for enlightenment, and not craving for enlightenment

... but I don't think that's quite right: instead I guess that people *can* even have an (unskilful) "craving" for (imaginary) "enlightenment" -- what that question was saying was only that some desires are wholesome.

[This answer](https://buddhism.stackexchange.com/a/17748/254) for example suggested that "craving" is an split between what's wanted and what is. I suppose that wholesome desire is, by contrast:

* Wanting something wholesome
* Skilfully acting to reduce or zero the distance between what's wanted and want is

---

**Could unwholesome craving cause the wholesome desire for enlightenment?**

Things have [several causes](https://www.google.com/search?q=ultimate+proximate+cause). I suppose that craving might cause a need for liberation (i.e. cause dukkha and a state in which cessation of dukkha is desirable), but it's because of right view (rather than craving) that unwholesome craving becomes wholesome desire.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-07-13. Score: 1

Having craving for enlightenment leads to extreme effort that balanced effort. This can also lead to extreme ascetic practices. Craving for enlightenment is craving for non-existence (Nirvana), becoming enlightenment being an or some form of some Brahmic or divine existence.

Being motivated to achieve enlightenment does not lead to extremities. This is not excessive desire (Tanha) but intention or motivation (Chanda). If developed this way it becomes an [Irddipada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iddhipada).

The distinction makes here is the desire to become or desire to act without too much attachment to the result. If your desire is to become your goal is bigger than the path and you might justify any path which you might think will take you there. This can be the wrong path or even excessive effort. If you are limited to taking action, without excessive desire for the end result, then you will take balanced steps on the right path.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: It is amount and direction.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-07-11. Score: 0

Why would one have desire fo enlightenment? Well, to end suffering. Why would one have desire for suffering? If you don't feel like ending your suffering, maybe you're not aware engough to pursue Buddhist path. Stick to philosphy and religion.


---

