iti.105 Itivuttaka

Arousing Craving

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, there are four things that arouse craving whereby the craving that has arisen in a bhikkhu arises. What are the four? Because of robes, because of almsfood, because of a dwelling place, because of gaining this or losing that the craving that has arisen in a bhikkhu arises. These, bhikkhus, are the four things that arouse craving whereby the craving that has arisen in a bhikkhu arises.”

A person companioned by craving
Wanders on the long journey
In this state of being or another
And cannot go beyond saṁsāra.

Having understood the danger thus,
That craving is the origin of suffering,
A bhikkhu should wander mindfully,
Free from craving, without grasping.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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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.