Dear John,
I am sorry, the thorn sutta( A. V, 135) is not about craving for arahatship.
But I was thinking more about craving that is profitable: Netti: 87 and its
Co.
Netti (The Guide, transl by Ven. Nyanamoli) states: <Herein, craving is of
two kinds: profitable and unprofitable (cf. Pe 97). While the unprofitable
goes with the roundabout, the profitable kind is craving for abandoning
(pahaana), which goes with dispersal (apacayagaaminii, (D III, 216).>
And Netti, 508: <Herein, [as an example] in the case of the grief that has
for its support the renunciation [described thus]: 'When shall I enter upon
by verification and abide in that base, which peaceful base the Noble Ones
enter upon by verification and abide in?' , and longing arises in him, and
grief with the longing as its condition (cf. MIII, 218 and Pe.takopadesa
161): such craving is profitable; for these being the heart-deliverance due
to fading of lust, [such craving] is profitable in having that for its
object.>
This brings us to M. 137, explaining about sorrow connected with
renunciation and how this sorrow arises as a result of desire.
But first the Tiika to the Netti: I only had a quick glance and will study
it later on more in detail: it elaborates that akusala tanhaa does not lead
to the end of the cycle, but that pahaana tanhaa does. As to kusala tanhaa,
it mentions that this is a category of teaching (desana haara). It then
gives a key: it has become upanissaya paccaya: strong dependence-condition.
In the Abhidhamma, the Patthana, it is explained under natural strong
dependence-condition, pakatupanissaya paccaya, that kusala can condition
kusala, but also that akusala can condition kusala. Because of aversion
towards akusala vipaaka or attachment to kusala vipaaka one may perform good
deeds. One may regret the akusala one performed and to counteract it one
performs kusala. We read (Pa.t.thaana, Faultless Triplet VII, Investigation
Ch, Conditions, Positive, § 423, V):
<After having killed, (one) offers the offering, undertakes the precept,
fulfils the duty of observance, develops jhaana, develops insight, develops
Path, develops superknowledge, develops attainment, to counteract it.>
Thus, tanhaa is lobha cetasika, it is akusala, but, it can be a condition
for attaining arahatship, and as such it can be called profitable. In order
to attain arahatship it must be object of insight.
The Commentary to M. 137: As to six joys connected with worldly life
(gehatani), these are based on the kaamagu.na: sensepleasures. As to six
joys connected with renunciation: these are dependent on vipassana. (In the
sutta is explained about the three characteristics).
Six sorrows connected with worldly life are described in the Sutta. As to
those connected with renunciation: domanassa arises in the person who
desires for arahatship. He does not develop vipassana further, by seeing
impermanence etc. , so that he can attain arahatship. An example is given of
Mahaa-Siiva who cried and was full of sorrow because he could not attain
arahatship this fortnight, this month, this year.
Nina.
op 21-12-2003 02:54 schreef John Kelly op palistudent@...:

> Does anyone know where in the Pali canon there is a
> simile about removing a thorn with a thorn then
> throwing both thorns away? This is in reference to
> craving for Arahatship helps motivate one to attain
> Arahatship, and so end all craving.
>