The Buddha states plainly that the source of all negative experiences, what we might call 'evil' or suffering, stems from an insatiable wanting for more than what we have. This is the surface meaning: if you always want more possessions, more status, more pleasure, you will inevitably be disappointed and unhappy.

The deeper teaching, however, points to *tanha* (craving) as the second Noble Truth. This craving is not merely for material things but for existence itself, for pleasant sensations, and even for non-existence. It arises from ignorance (*avidya*) of the true nature of reality – its impermanence (*anicca*) and lack of inherent self (*anatta*). The ego, a construct of clinging, perpetuates this cycle of desire, mistaking fleeting phenomena for lasting satisfaction. This illusion traps beings in *samsara*, the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, driven by the karmic consequences of their desires. The desire for 'more' is the engine of this cycle, as each satisfaction only breeds a new craving.

In your life: Observe your own moments of dissatisfaction. Are they rooted in a genuine need, or in the illusion that 'more' will bring lasting contentment?