8.4 Of Sense-Desires

Controverted Point: Whether the subjective sense-desires or the objective five fields of sense constitute kāma's?

This paragraph is verbatim = Kv 8.3 PTS CS 8.3.1, and is verbatim = Kv 8.3 PTS CS 8.3.5, save for the substitution of “Hence sensuality consists in only the five fields of sense-object”.

Theravādin: But was it not also said by the Exalted One:

“There are these fivefold pleasures of sense, bhikkhus: which are the five? Objects desirable,… adapted to sense-desires (kāma), and seductive are cognizable by sight, hearing, etc.… five kinds of objects associated with sense-pleasure. Nevertheless, bhikkhus, these are not sense-desires; they are called in the Ariyan discipline objects of sense-pleasures (kāmaguṇā). For kāma is a man's lustful intention”;

“The manifold of objects in the world—
This in itself is not `desires of sense.’
Lustful intention is man's sense-desires.
That manifold of objects doth endure;
The will thereto the wise exterminate”?

Hence it is wrong to say that just the five kinds of sense-objects constitute sense-desires.