Raga in buddhism

Discussion of Abhidhamma and related Commentaries
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justindesilva
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Raga in buddhism

Post by justindesilva »

Coming across words Raga and tanha in buddhism , can it be the same or tanha both giving rise to defilements. How can we differentiate the two words.
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Sam Vara
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Re: Raga in buddhism

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Tanha literally means "thirst", and I think this is a generic term for any type of strong craving. This includes craving for sensual objects, but also for existence and non-existence.

Raga literally means "colour" or "hue", and has a meaning similar to lobha; passion, or excitement. I might be wrong but I see this in a narrower sense as being restricted to the sensual realm - an excited lust for particular sensuous experiences.
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DooDoot
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Re: Raga in buddhism

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Sam Vara wrote: Sun Sep 09, 2018 6:16 pm I might be wrong but I see this in a narrower sense as being restricted to the sensual realm - an excited lust for particular sensuous experiences.
6th and 7th fetters are lust (raga) for rupa and arupa jhana (which are non-sensual).
justindesilva wrote: Sun Sep 09, 2018 5:22 pmComing across words Raga and tanha in buddhism , can it be the same or tanha both giving rise to defilements. How can we differentiate the two words.
'Tanha' includes 'vibhava', which is probably not a type of 'raga'. This being said, the definition of 'tanha' in the 1st sermon includes 'raga' within it for all three types of tanha. Therefore, my answer remains inconclusive. We need to research more. :reading:
it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there

yāyaṃ taṇhā ponobbhavikā nandirāgasahagatā tatratatrābhinandinī, seyyathidaṃ—

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.11/en/sujato
https://suttacentral.net/sn56.11/en/bodhi
Last edited by DooDoot on Sun Sep 09, 2018 9:52 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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Sam Vara
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Re: Raga in buddhism

Post by Sam Vara »

DooDoot wrote: Sun Sep 09, 2018 9:43 pm
Sam Vara wrote: Sun Sep 09, 2018 6:16 pm I might be wrong but I see this in a narrower sense as being restricted to the sensual realm - an excited lust for particular sensuous experiences.
6th and 7th fetters are lust (raga) for rupa and arupa jhana (which are non-sensual).
Many thanks - a useful correction! :anjali:
justindesilva
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Re: Raga in buddhism

Post by justindesilva »

DooDoot wrote: Sun Sep 09, 2018 9:43 pm
Sam Vara wrote: Sun Sep 09, 2018 6:16 pm I might be wrong but I see this in a narrower sense as being restricted to the sensual realm - an excited lust for particular sensuous experiences.
6th and 7th fetters are lust (raga) for rupa and arupa jhana (which are non-sensual).
justindesilva wrote: Sun Sep 09, 2018 5:22 pmComing across words Raga and tanha in buddhism , can it be the same or tanha both giving rise to defilements. How can we differentiate the two words.
'Tanha' includes 'vibhava', which is probably not a type of 'raga'. This being said, the definition of 'tanha' in the 1st sermon includes 'raga' within it for all three types of tanha. Therefore, my answer remains inconclusive. We need to research more. :reading:
it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there

yāyaṃ taṇhā ponobbhavikā nandirāgasahagatā tatratatrābhinandinī, seyyathidaṃ—

https://suttacentral.net/sn56.11/en/sujato
https://suttacentral.net/sn56.11/en/bodhi
Thank you friend , Doodoot
This answer clarifies and explain my doubts. And my thanks for others too.
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