Centuries ago the coming Buddha sat under the Bodhi-tree and vowed not to move until he learned to eradicate suffering, unfolding
Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi, the Consumation of Incomparable Enlightenment. But Mara, the personification of evil, tried to usurp his plans by sending his three daughters Tanha (desire), Raga (lust), and Arati (aversion), to seduce him and break his concentration. However, the coming Buddha was too strong for Mara.
Samudaya is generally translated as "the cause of suffering." However, Buddhist texts don't necessarily say this. Interpreting it as "the cause of suffering" appears to be more of a Hindu influence.
Sam as used in the word Samudaya means "with" and Ud means "up." A more correct interpretation of Samudaya is "what comes up with suffering." What normally comes up is craving or thirst for something. What this means is that after we experience Dukkha we latch onto something. But what we latch on to has nothing to do with the Dukkha. What comes up with this is feelings. They are not something we can do anything about.
The principle cause of suffering is the attachment to "desire." Both the desire to have (wanting) and the desire not to have (aversion), seemingly opposites are the same, both are desires.
The desire for sense pleasures manifests itself as wanting to have pleasant experiences: the taste of good food, pleasant sexual experiences, delightful music. As Tanha, considered one of The Three Daughters of Mara. Also one of The Three Poisons.
- desire for sense-pleasures--kama-tanha,
- desire to become--bhava-tanha,
- desire to get rid of--vibhava-tanha.
The desire to become is the ambition that comes with wanting attaiments or recognition or fame. It is the craving to "be a somebody," lust. As Raga, considered one of The Three Daughters of Mara.
The desire to get rid of the unpleasant experiences in life: unpleasant sensations, anger, fear, jealousy, aversion. As Arati, considered one of The Three Daughters of Mara.
The clinging to desire comes from our experience that short-term satisfaction comes from following desire. We ignore the fact that satisfying our desires doesn't bring an end to them and, like the Ten Fetters of Buddhism, end up standing in the way of Enlightenment.
SEE ALSO:
MARA