K¤ma: (paraphrase by "icch¤yaµ," cp. Vedic k¤ma, kam=Idg. *q¤) to desire, cp. Lat. carus, Goth. hors, E whore. -- 1. Objective: pleasantness, pleasure-giving, an object of sensual enjoyment; -- 2. subjective: (a) enjoyment, pleasure on occasion of sense, (b) sense-desire. Buddhist commentators express 1 and 2 by k¤miyat¨ ti k¤mo, and kamet¨ ti k¤mo.... 2. K¤ma as sense-desire and enjoyment plus objects of the same is a collective name for all but the very higher or refined conditions of life. The k¤ma-bhava or -loka (worlds of sense desire) includes 4 of the 5 modes (gati's) of existence and part of the fifth or deva-loka. See Bhava. The term is not found analyzed till the later books of the Canon are consulted, thus, Nd1 1 distinguishes (1) vatthuk¤m¤: desires relating to a base, i. e. physical organ or external object, and (2) kilesak¤m¤: desire considered subjectively....A more logical definition is given by Dhammap¤la on Vv 11 (VvA 11). He classifies as follows: 1. man¤piy¤ r¬p¤di-visay¤. -- 2. chandar¤ga. -- 3. sabbasmiµ lobha. -- 4. g¤madhamma. -- 5. hitacchanda. -- 6. ser¨bh¤va, i. e. k. concerned with (1) pleasant objects, (2) impulsive desire, (3) greed for anything, (4) sexual lust, (5) effort to do good, (6) self-determination.
In all enumerations of obstacles to perfection, or of general divisions and definitions of mental conditions, k¤ma occupies the leading position. It is the first of the five obstacles (n¨vara¼¤ni), the three esan¤s (longings), the four up¤d¤nas (attachments), the four oghas (floods of worldly turbulence), the four ¤savas (intoxicants of mind), the three ta¼h¤s, the four yogas; and k. stands first on the list of the six factors of existence: k¤m¤, vedan¤, sa¾¾¤, ¤sav¤, kamma, dukkha, which are discussed at A III.410 sq. as regards their origin, difference, consequences, destruction and remedy. K¤ma is most frequently connected with r¤ga (passion), with chanda (impulse) and gedha (greed), all expressing the active, clinging, and impulsive character of desire. The foll. is the list of synonyms given at various places for k¤ma-cchanda: (1) chanda, impulse; (2) r¤ga, excitement; (3) nand¨, enjoyment; (4) ta¼h¤, thirst; (5) sineha, love; (6) pip¤s¤, thirst; (7) pari²¤ha, consuming passion; (8) gedha, greed; (9) mucch¤, swoon, or confused state of mind; (10) ajjhos¤na, hanging on, or attachment.... Similarly at D III.238: k¤me avigata-r¤ga, -chanda, -pema, -pip¤sa, -pari²¤ha, -ta¼ha. See also k¤ma-chanda below under cpds. In connection with synonyms it may be noticed that most of the verbs used in a k¤ma-context are verbs the primary meaning of which is "adhering to" or "grasping," hence, attachment; viz. esan¤ (is. to Lat ira), up¤d¤na (upa + ¤ + d¤ taking up), ta¼h¤ (tr.s., Lat. torreo=thirst) pip¤s¤ (the wish to drink), sineha (snih, Lat. nix=melting), etc. -- On the other hand, the reaction of the passions on the subject is expressed by khajjati "to be eaten up" pariÀayhati "to be burnt," etc. The foll. passage also illustrates the various synonymic expressions: k¤me paribhu¾jati, k¤mamajjhe vasati, k¤ma-pari²¤hena pariÀayhati, k¤mavitakkehi khajjati, k¤ma-pariyesan¤y¤ ussukko, A I.68; cp. M I.463; III.129. Under this aspect k¤ma is essentially an evil, but to the popular view it is one of the indispensable attributes of bliss and happiness to be enjoyed as a reward of virtue in this world (m¤nussak¤m¤) as well as in the next (dibb¤ k¤m¤). ... The other-world pleasures are greater than the earthly ones: S V.409; but to the Wise even these are unsatisfactory, since they still are signs of, and lead to, rebirth... - K¤ma as sensual pleasure finds its most marked application in the sphere of the sexual: k¤mesu micch¤c¤rin, transgressing in lusts, sinning in the lusts of the flesh, or violating the third rule of conduct equivalent to abrahmacariy¤, inchastity... itthi-k¤mehi paric¤reti "he enjoys himself with the charms of woman" S IV.343. K¤mesu brahmacariyav¤ practising chastity Sn 1041. K¤matth¤ for sexual amusement A III.229.
Redemption from k¤ma is to be effected by self-control (sa¸yama) and meditation (jh¤na), by knowledge, right effort and renunciation. "To give up passion" as a practice of him who wishes to enter on the Path is expressed by: k¤m¤naµ pah¤naµ, k¤masa¾¾¤naµ pari¾¾¤, k¤ma-pip¤s¤naµ-paÂivinayo, k¤mavitakk¤naµ samuggh¤to k¤ma-pari²¤h¤naµ v¬pasamo Vin III.111; -k¤mesu (ca) appaÂibaddhacitto "uddhaµsoto" ti vuccati: he whose mind is not in the bonds of desire is called "one who is above the stream" Dh 218.... vivicc' eva k¤mehi, aloof from sensuous joys is the prescription for all Jh¤na-exercise.
Character of K¤m¤. The pleasures of the senses are evanescent, transient (sabbe k¤m¤ anicc¤, etc. A II.177), and of no real taste (app¤s¤d¤); they do not give permanent satisfaction; the happiness which they yield is only a deception, or a dream, from which the dreamer awakens with sorrow and regret. Therefore the Buddha says "Even though the pleasure is great, the regret is greater: ¤d¨navo ettha bh¨yyo" (see k-sukha). Thus k¤m¤ as k¤lik¤ (needing time) S I.9, 117; anicc¤ (transitory) S I.22; k¤m¤ citr¤ madhur¤ "pleasures are manifold and sweet"...; but also appass¤d¤ bahudukkh¤ bahup¤y¤s¤... Another passage with var. descriptions and comparisons of k¤ma, beginning with app' ass¤d¤ dukkh¤ k¤m¤ is found at J IV.118. -atittaµ yeva k¤mesu antako kurute vasa¸ Dh 48; -- na kah¤pa¼avassena titti k¤mesu vijjati appas¤d¤ dukkh¤ k¤m¤ iti vi¾¾¤ya pa¼Àito "not for showers of coins is satisfaction to be found in pleasures -- of no taste and full of misery are pleasures: thus say the wise and they understand" Dh 186... - K¤mato j¤yat¨ soko k¤mato j¤yat¨ bhayaµ k¤mato vippamuttassa n'atthi soko kuto bhayan ti "of pleasure is born sorrow, of pleasure is born fear" Dh 215. The misery of such pleasures is painted in vivid colours in the Buddha's discourse on pains of pleasures M I.85 and parallel passages..., how k¤ma is the cause of egoism, avarice, quarrels between kings, nations, families, how it leads to warfare, murder, lasciviousness, torture and madness...
Similes.... the pleasures of the senses are likened to: (1) aÂÂhi-kankhala, a chain of bones; (2) maµsapesi, a piece of (decaying) flesh; -- (3) ti¼'ukk¤, a torch of grass; (4) ang¤ra-k¤su, a pit of glowing cinders; - (5) supina, a dream; (6) y¤cita, beggings; -- (7) rukkha-phala, the fruit of a tree; -- (8) asis¬na, a slaughter-house; -- (9) satti-s¬la, a sharp stake; -- (10) sappa-sira, a snake's head, i. e. the bite of a snake at Vin II.25; M I.130; A III.97...
-k¤ma (adj.) desiring, striving after, fond of, pursuing, in k¤ma-k¤ma pleasure-loving...- atthak¤ma well-wishing, desirous of good, benevolent...; m¤nak¤ma proud S I.4; l¤bhak¤ma fond of taking; grasping, selfish A II.240; d¬setu- desiring to molest Vin IV.212.... So frequently in comb. w. inf., meaning, willing to, wishing to, going to, desirous of.... -ak¤ma 1. not desiring, i. e. unwilling: M II.181; mayhaµ ak¤m¤ya against my wish.... 2. without desire, desireless, passionless.... -nikk¤ma same....
-agga the greatest pleasure, intense enjoyment M II.43
-aggi the fire of passion J V.487
-¢vacara "having its province in k¤ma," belonging to the realm of sensuous pleasures. This term applies to the eleven grades of beings who are still under the influence of sensual desires and pleasures, as well as to all thoughts and conditions arising in this sphere of sensuous experience D I.34
-kamma an action causing rebirth in the six k¤ma-worlds
-loka the plane or world of k¤ma
-¤vaÂÂa the whirlpool of sensuality
-¤sava the intoxication of passion, sensuality, lusts; def. as k¤mesu k¤ma-chando, etc....; as the first of four impurities, viz. k-, bhava-, diÂÂhi-, avijj¤- at Vin III.5 (the detachment from which constitutes Arahantship)
-itthi a pleasure-woman, a concubine Vin I.36; J I.83
-up¤d¤na clinging to sensuality, arising from ta¼h¤, as k- diÂÂhi- s¨labbata-, attav¤da- D III.230; M I.51
-¬papatti existence or rebirth in the sensuous universe. These are three: (1) PaccupaÂÂhita-k¤m¤ (including mankind, four lowest devalokas, Asuras, Petas and animals), (2) Nimm¤na-ratino dev¤, (3) Paranimmita-vasavattino dev¤ D III.218
-¬pasa¸hita endowed with pleasantness: in formula r¬p¤ (sadd¤, etc.) iÂÂh¤ kant¤ man¤p¤ piyar¬p¤ k- rajaniy¤ "forms (sounds, etc.=any object of sense), desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasant, endowed with pleasantness, prompting desires" D I.245=M I.85; 504; D II.265; M III.267
-esan¤ the craving for pleasure. There are three esan¤s: k¤ma-, bhava-, brahmacariya- D III.216 270; A II.42
-ogha the flood of sensual desires A III.69; D III.230, 276
-gu¼¤ always as pa¾ca: the five strands of sensual pleasures, viz., the pleasures which are to be enjoyed by means of the five senses; collectively all sensual pleasures
-citta impure thought J II.214
-chanda excitement of sensual pleasure, grouped as the first of the series of five obstacles (pa¾ca n¨vara¼¤ni) D I.156, 246; III.234, 278; A I.231; IV.457; A I.134=Sn 1106; S I.99; V.64... Also as the first in the series of ten fetters (sa¸yojan¤ni)
-j¤la the net of desires Th 1, 355;
-ta¼h¤ thirst after sensual pleasures; the first of the three ta¼h¤s, viz. k¤ma-, bhava-, vibhava- D III.216, 275
-dukkha the pain of sensual pleasures J IV.118
-pari²¤ha the flame or the fever of passion M I.242, 508; S IV.188; A I.68... A II.11
-bhava a state of existence dominated by pleasures. It is the second kind of existence, the first being caused by kamma... It rests on the effect of kamma, which is manifested in the k¤ma-dh¤tu A I.223. It is the first form of the 3 bhavas, viz. k¤ma-, r¬pa-, ar¬pa- Vin I.36; D III.216; A IV.402; Vism 572. Emancipation from this existence is the first condition to the attainment of Arahantship
-seyy¤ sleeping at ease, way of lying down, the second of the four ways of sleeping
-magga the path of sensuous pleasures J V.67
-matta intoxicated with sensuous pleasures J VI.231
-yoga application to sensuous enjoyment, one of the four yogas, viz. k¤ma-, bhava-, diÂÂhi-, avijj¤-
-rasa the taste of love J II.329; III.170; V.451
-r¤ga sensual passion, lust
-loka the world of pleasures
-va¼¼in assuming any form at will
-vitakka a thought concerning some sensuous pleasure, one of the three evil thoughts (k¤ma- vy¤p¤da- vihiµs¤-) D III.215, 226; M I.114; A I.68; J I.63; III.18, 375; IV.490; VI.29
-sa¾¾ojana the obstacle or hindrance formed by pleasures
-sukha happiness or welfare arising from (sensual) pleasure, worldly happiness