Craving or “欲” is one of the core issues on the way leading to liberation. Since its beginnings in India, the ultimate goal Buddhism teaches has always been the ending of suffering and the attainment of peace. This holds true for both the early path of individual liberation and the later path of the bodhisattva practitioner. According to the twelve links of dependent origination, due to sense impression sensation arises, due to sensation craving, and due to craving clinging. Sentient beings are thus trapped in the vast ocean of samsaric misery. If they want to leave suffering, they must abandon the distress of craving （“欲”）. This is only possible if one really comprehends what the Buddha meant by “欲”. In order to facilitate such an understanding, the present thesis analyzes this very word, as it is used in the Alternative Translation of the Saṃyuktāgama, in terms of part of speech, metaphorical usage, and particular applications.
