<p>The <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.063.nypo.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Puttamansa Sutta</a> lists four nutriments for the sustenance of beings (<em>sattānaṃ</em>) who have come to be (<em>bhūtānaṃ</em>) and for the support of beings seeking to be (<em>sambhavesīnaṃ</em>), namely:</p>

<ol>
<li>Edible food, coarse and fine; </li>
<li>Sense-impression;</li>
<li>Volitional thought; and</li>
<li>Consciousness.</li>
</ol>

<p>For <em>unenlightened</em> beings, craving is included within the nutriment of volitional thought, as stated: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>If the nutriment volitional thought is comprehended, the three kinds of craving are thereby comprehended.</em></p>
  
  <p><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.063.nypo.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>Puttamansa Sutta</em></a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Thus, at a primal level, for every <em>unenlightened</em> living being, craving serves the main objective (of nature) to survive and to reproduce.</p>

<p>As for the <em>enlightened</em>, they survive more skilfully relying on wisdom rather than craving. </p>

<hr>

<p>The word '<em>dharma</em>' means '<em>that which supports</em>' thus craving also supports life but it is an '<em>akusala dhamma</em>', namely, an unskilful means of support. For example, the suttas state:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>Thus, Ānanda, in dependence upon feeling there is craving; in dependence upon craving there is pursuit; in dependence upon pursuit
  there is gain; in dependence upon gain there is decision-making; in
  dependence upon decision-making there is desire and lust; in
  dependence upon desire and lust there is attachment; in dependence
  upon attachment there is possessiveness; in dependence upon
  possessiveness there is stinginess; in dependence upon stinginess
  there is safeguarding; and because of safeguarding, various evil
  unwholesome phenomena originate—the taking up of clubs and weapons,
  conflicts, quarrels, and disputes, insulting speech, slander and
  falsehoods. Therefore, Ānanda, this craving is the cause, source, origin, and condition for those various evil unwholesome phenomena.</em></p>
</blockquote>

<hr>

<p>To add, "we" do not crave. To the contrary, it is craving that creates the idea of "we". To quote: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p><em>"Who, O Lord, craves?"</em></p>
  
  <p><em>"The question is not correct," said the Exalted One. "I do not say that 'he craves.' Had I said so, then the question 'Who craves?' would
  be appropriate. But since I did not speak thus, the correct way to ask
  the question will be 'What is the condition of craving?' And to that
  the correct reply is: 'Feeling is the condition of craving and craving
  is the condition of clinging.'"</em></p>
  
  <p><em>SN 12.12</em></p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p><em>An uninstructed, run-of-the-mill person assumes form, feeling, perception, fabrication &amp;/or conscious to be a self. That assumption
  is a fabrication. Now what is the cause, what is the origination, what
  is the birth, what is the coming-into-existence of that fabrication?
  To an uninstructed, run-of-the-mill person, touched by that which is
  felt born of contact with ignorance, craving arises. That fabrication [of self]
  is born of that.</em></p>
  
  <p><em>SN 22.81</em></p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-15T11:46:13.020Z
2017-03-15T12:31:49.137Z
2017-03-15T12:31:49.137Z
Dhamma Dhatu
<blockquote>
  <p>In Buddhism everything boils down to we as humans and animals crave.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes. </p>

<p>Even in worldly affairs: <code>Craving -&gt; searching -&gt; gain -&gt; decision-making -&gt; desire and lust -&gt; attachment -&gt; possessiveness -&gt; stinginess -&gt; safe-guarding -&gt; various evils, unwholesome phenomena</code> - <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/5.17-Mahanidana-S-d15-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mahā,nidāna Sutta</a></p>

<p>Also the 12 link generic version of Dependent Arising: <code>... -&gt; feeling -&gt; Craving -&gt; Clinging -&gt; ...</code></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>So the question becomes why are we hard coded to crave.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Particularly craving arises when you get attached to the pleasant feeling. <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/31.1-Pahana-S-s36.3-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pahāna Sutta</a></p>

<p>In context of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prat%C4%ABtyasamutp%C4%81da" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dependent Arising</a> both craving and aversion are 2 sides of the same coin. The case of unpleasant and neutral feeling leading to aversion and ignorance is coved in the above Sutta. In this context craving [, aversion, ignorance] arises due to due to feelings which are pleasant, unpleasant, neutral.</p>

<p>Carving, aversion and ignorance are latent tendencies. They are reinforced due to our habitual reaction to sensation. That is why in meditation (as taught by some teachers at least), you are asked to be equanimous seeing the arising and passing of sensation.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Personally i think every living being is hard wired to crave because of survival. I think at a primal level for every living being the main objective is to survive and to reproduce and i think that is why we have craving and all those akusala karma such as jealously anger etc...</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This is also true as the the cycle: <code>Craving -&gt; searching -&gt; gain -&gt; decision-making -&gt; desire and lust -&gt; attachment -&gt; possessiveness -&gt; stinginess -&gt; safe-guarding -&gt; various evils, unwholesome phenomena</code> - <a href="http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/5.17-Mahanidana-S-d15-piya.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mahā,nidāna Sutta</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-15T14:36:03.907Z
2017-03-15T15:29:06.397Z
2018-08-14T22:06:13.773Z
Suminda Sirinath S. Dharmasena
<p><a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.076.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">AN 3:76 Bhava Sutta: Becoming</a>, gives us an analogy to describe how becoming is produced:  “Kamma is the field, consciousness the seed, and craving the moisture.” Kamma gives us a range of possibilities in which the seed of consciousness can be planted and on which it can feed. Craving is the moisture that keeps the seed alive and allows it to grow into a state of becoming. </p>

<p>It is Kamma, rooted in ignorance and craving (Tanhā, thirst), that conditions rebirth. This life-stream flows ad infinitum, as long as it is fed by the muddy waters of ignorance and craving. When these two are completely cut off, then only, if one so wishes, does the stream cease to flow, rebirth ends as in the case of the Buddhas and Arahats. The most valuable evidence Buddhists cite in favor of rebirth is the Buddha, for He developed a knowledge which enabled Him to read past and future lives. </p>

<p>Thus the cause for the arising of suffering is craving. Craving results from delusion, which prevents man from seeing things as they really are. Therefore, cessation of suffering is achieved when craving is eradicated and extinguished. The path leading to the cessation of craving is the Noble Eightfold Path, expounded by the Enlightened One.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-16T03:00:49.360Z
so the question then becomes why are living beings born with ignorance and delusion? again is this hard coded in us for the survival of our species so to speak?
user119020
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-16T11:56:34.920Z
Yes, you are right @user119020. I will add to my answer on this, sometime later, when time permits. with metta...
Saptha Visuddhi
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2017-03-16T02:41:42.733Z
2017-03-16T02:41:42.733Z
Saptha Visuddhi
<p>Just an Opinion</p>

<p>Craving: is like, "A Motion needs space"
A stone or dead person can get rid of this.
e.g Your craving saying let's ask about craving :)
that means you are alive, you need this internally like body needs parts externally.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-16T09:05:48.563Z
does that mean even Arahaths have craving. And even the Buddha. Because they wanted to spread the dharma and that was also a wanting
user119020
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2017-03-16T17:31:40.407Z
Buddha was king and they left the throne because they had know actually it's nothing, they kick that types of craving, which can make distance between GOD In other side they goes door to door for spread Dharma. Does that make sense a men can go door to door, village to village without Craving? But here craving was converted into deeds.
Heartbeat
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-16T17:43:10.197Z
@user119020 Doctrine distinguishes pathological craving from wholesome desire -- see e.g. [Tanha versus Chanda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta%E1%B9%87h%C4%81#Tanha_versus_Chanda)
ChrisW
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2017-03-16T06:49:18.190Z
2017-03-16T06:49:18.190Z
Heartbeat
<p>Google for the "12 dependent arisings". All dependent arisings lead to sufferings and craving is one of the dependent arisings.</p>

<p>Buddha's teaching is able to cut one of the dependent arisings thus preventing subsequent arisings from taking place, leading to enlightenment..</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-15T15:33:03.440Z
Which of the 12 dependent arisings does it cut?
ChrisW
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2017-03-16T03:01:59.980Z
@Chirs I think it cuts ignorance
user119020
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2017-03-19T05:48:36.607Z
Beginning practices include cutting "craving" OR cutting "clinging".
tutu
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2017-03-15T15:17:38.823Z
2017-03-15T15:17:38.823Z
tutu
<p>There are <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/search_results.html?cx=015061908441090246348%3Adj4lxnh4dda&amp;cof=FORID%3A9%3BNB%3A1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;q=root+delusion&amp;sa=Search" rel="nofollow noreferrer">various suttas</a> which say there are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_poisons" rel="nofollow noreferrer">three roots</a>: delusion, craving, and aversion.</p>

<p>Also, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avidy%C4%81_(Buddhism)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ignorance</a> is identified as the first of the 12 nidanas, and the <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca2/avijja.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">root cause</a> of dukkha.</p>

<p>I think that "right view" (or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praj%C3%B1%C4%81_(Buddhism)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">wisdom</a>) might be an antonym of "ignorance": so seeing things properly, for example understanding the disadvantages of craving, is what eventually leads to dispassion, renunciation, the end of craving; and conversely, the opposite (i.e. ignorance, lack of right view, insufficient wisdom) could be called the root cause of craving.</p>

<p>Another theory is that craving is conditioned by feelings which are conditioned by sensations: so maybe these could be seen as the cause of craving (for which, I think the antidote is "guarding the sense-doors").</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-15T15:55:16.280Z
2017-03-15T16:08:34.913Z
2017-03-15T16:08:34.913Z
ChrisW
<p>In Buddhism everything boils down to we as humans and animals crave. Craving is the root cause for suffering and rebirth.</p>

<p>So the question becomes why are we hard coded to crave. Is there any reference in Buddhist documents where the Buddha have answered this question?</p>

<p>Personally i think every living being is hard wired to crave because of survival. I think at a primal level for every living being the main objective is to survive and to reproduce and i think that is why we have craving and all those akusala karma such as jealously anger etc...</p>

<p>please tell me you opinions or any reference in Buddhist scriptures</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-03-15T15:29:12.797Z
In case it helps to clarify the question, are you asking "What is the 'root cause' of craving?", and why are you asking that?
ChrisW
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-14T12:05:12.543Z
Has your question been answered?
Mirco
<theravada><buddha><dukkha><desire><craving>
The question of why do we have craving
# The question of why do we have craving

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-03-15)

In Buddhism everything boils down to we as humans and animals crave. Craving is the root cause for suffering and rebirth.

So the question becomes why are we hard coded to crave. Is there any reference in Buddhist documents where the Buddha have answered this question?

Personally i think every living being is hard wired to crave because of survival. I think at a primal level for every living being the main objective is to survive and to reproduce and i think that is why we have craving and all those akusala karma such as jealously anger etc...

please tell me you opinions or any reference in Buddhist scriptures

**Tags:** theravada, buddha, dukkha, desire, craving

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: In case it helps to clarify the question, are you asking "What is the 'root cause' of craving?", and why are you asking that?  
> **username_2**: Has your question been answered?  

---

## 6 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-03-15. Score: 1

The [Puttamansa Sutta](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.063.nypo.html) lists four nutriments for the sustenance of beings (*sattānaṃ*) who have come to be (*bhūtānaṃ*) and for the support of beings seeking to be (*sambhavesīnaṃ*), namely:

1. Edible food, coarse and fine;
2. Sense-impression;
3. Volitional thought; and
4. Consciousness.

For *unenlightened* beings, craving is included within the nutriment of volitional thought, as stated:

> *If the nutriment volitional thought is comprehended, the three kinds of craving are thereby comprehended.*
>
> [*Puttamansa Sutta*](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.063.nypo.html)

Thus, at a primal level, for every *unenlightened* living being, craving serves the main objective (of nature) to survive and to reproduce.

As for the *enlightened*, they survive more skilfully relying on wisdom rather than craving.

---

The word '*dharma*' means '*that which supports*' thus craving also supports life but it is an '*akusala dhamma*', namely, an unskilful means of support. For example, the suttas state:

> *Thus, Ānanda, in dependence upon feeling there is craving; in dependence upon craving there is pursuit; in dependence upon pursuit
> there is gain; in dependence upon gain there is decision-making; in
> dependence upon decision-making there is desire and lust; in
> dependence upon desire and lust there is attachment; in dependence
> upon attachment there is possessiveness; in dependence upon
> possessiveness there is stinginess; in dependence upon stinginess
> there is safeguarding; and because of safeguarding, various evil
> unwholesome phenomena originate—the taking up of clubs and weapons,
> conflicts, quarrels, and disputes, insulting speech, slander and
> falsehoods. Therefore, Ānanda, this craving is the cause, source, origin, and condition for those various evil unwholesome phenomena.*

---

To add, "we" do not crave. To the contrary, it is craving that creates the idea of "we". To quote:

> *"Who, O Lord, craves?"*
>
> *"The question is not correct," said the Exalted One. "I do not say that 'he craves.' Had I said so, then the question 'Who craves?' would
> be appropriate. But since I did not speak thus, the correct way to ask
> the question will be 'What is the condition of craving?' And to that
> the correct reply is: 'Feeling is the condition of craving and craving
> is the condition of clinging.'"*
>
> *SN 12.12*
>
> ---
>
> *An uninstructed, run-of-the-mill person assumes form, feeling, perception, fabrication &/or conscious to be a self. That assumption
> is a fabrication. Now what is the cause, what is the origination, what
> is the birth, what is the coming-into-existence of that fabrication?
> To an uninstructed, run-of-the-mill person, touched by that which is
> felt born of contact with ignorance, craving arises. That fabrication [of self]
> is born of that.*
>
> *SN 22.81*


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2017-03-15. Score: 0

> In Buddhism everything boils down to we as humans and animals crave.

Yes.

Even in worldly affairs: `Craving -> searching -> gain -> decision-making -> desire and lust -> attachment -> possessiveness -> stinginess -> safe-guarding -> various evils, unwholesome phenomena` - [Mahā,nidāna Sutta](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/5.17-Mahanidana-S-d15-piya.pdf)

Also the 12 link generic version of Dependent Arising: `... -> feeling -> Craving -> Clinging -> ...`

> So the question becomes why are we hard coded to crave.

Particularly craving arises when you get attached to the pleasant feeling. [Pahāna Sutta](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/31.1-Pahana-S-s36.3-piya.pdf)

In context of [Dependent Arising](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prat%C4%ABtyasamutp%C4%81da) both craving and aversion are 2 sides of the same coin. The case of unpleasant and neutral feeling leading to aversion and ignorance is coved in the above Sutta. In this context craving [, aversion, ignorance] arises due to due to feelings which are pleasant, unpleasant, neutral.

Carving, aversion and ignorance are latent tendencies. They are reinforced due to our habitual reaction to sensation. That is why in meditation (as taught by some teachers at least), you are asked to be equanimous seeing the arising and passing of sensation.

> Personally i think every living being is hard wired to crave because of survival. I think at a primal level for every living being the main objective is to survive and to reproduce and i think that is why we have craving and all those akusala karma such as jealously anger etc...

This is also true as the the cycle: `Craving -> searching -> gain -> decision-making -> desire and lust -> attachment -> possessiveness -> stinginess -> safe-guarding -> various evils, unwholesome phenomena` - [Mahā,nidāna Sutta](http://www.themindingcentre.org/dharmafarer/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/5.17-Mahanidana-S-d15-piya.pdf)


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2017-03-16. Score: 0

[AN 3:76 Bhava Sutta: Becoming](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.076.than.html), gives us an analogy to describe how becoming is produced: “Kamma is the field, consciousness the seed, and craving the moisture.” Kamma gives us a range of possibilities in which the seed of consciousness can be planted and on which it can feed. Craving is the moisture that keeps the seed alive and allows it to grow into a state of becoming.

It is Kamma, rooted in ignorance and craving (Tanhā, thirst), that conditions rebirth. This life-stream flows ad infinitum, as long as it is fed by the muddy waters of ignorance and craving. When these two are completely cut off, then only, if one so wishes, does the stream cease to flow, rebirth ends as in the case of the Buddhas and Arahats. The most valuable evidence Buddhists cite in favor of rebirth is the Buddha, for He developed a knowledge which enabled Him to read past and future lives.

Thus the cause for the arising of suffering is craving. Craving results from delusion, which prevents man from seeing things as they really are. Therefore, cessation of suffering is achieved when craving is eradicated and extinguished. The path leading to the cessation of craving is the Noble Eightfold Path, expounded by the Enlightened One.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: so the question then becomes why are living beings born with ignorance and delusion? again is this hard coded in us for the survival of our species so to speak?  
> **username_5**: Yes, you are right @username_0. I will add to my answer on this, sometime later, when time permits. with metta...  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2017-03-16. Score: 0

Just an Opinion

Craving: is like, "A Motion needs space"
A stone or dead person can get rid of this.
e.g Your craving saying let's ask about craving :)
that means you are alive, you need this internally like body needs parts externally.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: does that mean even Arahaths have craving. And even the Buddha. Because they wanted to spread the dharma and that was also a wanting  
> **username_6**: Buddha was king and they left the throne because they had know actually it's nothing, they kick that types of craving, which can make distance between GOD In other side they goes door to door for spread Dharma. Does that make sense a men can go door to door, village to village without Craving? But here craving was converted into deeds.  
> **username_1**: @username_0 Doctrine distinguishes pathological craving from wholesome desire -- see e.g. [Tanha versus Chanda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ta%E1%B9%87h%C4%81#Tanha_versus_Chanda)  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2017-03-15. Score: 0

Google for the "12 dependent arisings". All dependent arisings lead to sufferings and craving is one of the dependent arisings.

Buddha's teaching is able to cut one of the dependent arisings thus preventing subsequent arisings from taking place, leading to enlightenment..

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Which of the 12 dependent arisings does it cut?  
> **username_0**: @Chirs I think it cuts ignorance  
> **username_7**: Beginning practices include cutting "craving" OR cutting "clinging".  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-03-15. Score: 0

There are [various suttas](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/search_results.html?cx=015061908441090246348%3Adj4lxnh4dda&cof=FORID%3A9%3BNB%3A1&ie=UTF-8&q=root+delusion&sa=Search) which say there are [three roots](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_poisons): delusion, craving, and aversion.

Also, [ignorance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avidy%C4%81_(Buddhism)) is identified as the first of the 12 nidanas, and the [root cause](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/ptf/dhamma/sacca/sacca2/avijja.html) of dukkha.

I think that "right view" (or [wisdom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Praj%C3%B1%C4%81_(Buddhism))) might be an antonym of "ignorance": so seeing things properly, for example understanding the disadvantages of craving, is what eventually leads to dispassion, renunciation, the end of craving; and conversely, the opposite (i.e. ignorance, lack of right view, insufficient wisdom) could be called the root cause of craving.

Another theory is that craving is conditioned by feelings which are conditioned by sensations: so maybe these could be seen as the cause of craving (for which, I think the antidote is "guarding the sense-doors").


---

