The Arising of Craving (ITI105)

So It Was Said 105

The Book of the Fours

The Chapter on the Brahmin’s Offering of the Teaching

The Arising of Craving

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Mendicants, there are four things that give rise to craving in a mendicant.

What four?

For the sake of robes,

almsfood,

lodgings,

or rebirth in this or that state.

These are the four things that give rise to craving in a mendicant.”

The Buddha spoke this matter.

On this it is said:

“Craving is a person’s partner

as they transmigrate on this long journey.

They go from this state to another,

but don’t escape transmigration.

Knowing this danger,

that craving is the cause of suffering—

rid of craving, free of grasping,

a mendicant would wander mindful.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.