Buddhism The Human Condition

Dukkha is Caused by Tanha

Recap

The Human Condition

• Life of the Buddha

• 3 Marks of Existence (Ch-ch-ch-changes)

• Life is Dukkha (suffering)

4 Noble Truths, 3 Marks of existence, Noble 8fold Path, Arsenal 2, Chelsea 1

We have recently learnt about Dukkha, which is one of the 3 Marks of Existence. Confusingly, Dukkha is also the 1st of the 4 Noble Truths.

Don’t worry if all these numbers are difficult to remember. All you need to remember now is that the Human Condition is Suffering.

Aim for today

• To know that the cause of suffering is desire.

• The word that we use for desire is Tanha

The word Tanha means Thirst. It’s not supposed to mean that you literally are thirsty, but that you

want something, very badly.

Tanha = Thirst

Think about what it’s like to be thirsty. Are you able to concentrate on other things? Is it a nice

feeling?

Tanha Task 1

You will now be given two sheets each. One is Red and say’s ‘Tanha’ The other is Green and says ‘No Tanha’.

You will then see a series of images. When you see each one, you have to hold up the card which expresses whether you desire it or not.

Technology

Romantic Love

Friends

Education

Power

Car

Sex

Family

Good (Bad) Food

Nice Clothes

Money

Intelligence

Beauty

House

Answers

Tanha Task 2

Make a list of as many of the images you’ve just seen as possible that you did have a Tanha for.

You should have at least 5 of them, but write more if you can remember them.

3 Minutes

Title: Things I have a Tanha For

Tanha Task 3

Describe what your life would be like if you didn’t want (Tanha) those things you wrote down in task 2. This should take half a page and should be as detailed as possible. Include:

• What you would do with your time

• How you think you would feel

• What opportunities you might gain

• What opportunities you might lose

• What would happen if everyone felt the same as you

15 Minutes

Buddhism The Human Condition

Buddhism The Human Condition

The 2nd Noble Truth says that Tanha is the cause of all human Dukkha (suffering).

When we really want things they have a hold on us and getting what we want doesn’t stop us from wanting, we simply want more.

And we know from the 3 Marks of Existence that everything changes, so any happiness we get from having our desires satisfied won’t last very long.

Question

What is meant by the term Tanha?

4 KU Marks