Vatthu-k. and kilesa-k. are probably found for the first time in MNid. 1. They correspond to the pan~ca ka^maguna^ (cakkhu-vin~n~eyya^ rúpa^, etc.) and ka^ma-ra^ga in the older sutta texts (e.g A. VI, 68).
may denote: 1. subjective sensuality, ”sense-desire”; 2. objective sensuality, the five sense-objects.
1. Subjective sensuality, or sense-desire, is directed to all five sense-objects, and is synonymous with ka^ma-cchanda, ”sensuous desire”, one of the 5 hindrances (ni^varana, q.v.); ka^ma-ra^ga, sensuous lust”, one of the ten fetters (samyojana, q.v.); ka^ma-tanha^, ”sensuous craving”, one of the 3 cravings (tanha^, q.v.); ka^ma-vitakka, ”sensuous thought”, one of the 3 wrong thoughts (miccha^-sankappa; s. vitakka). - Sense-desire is also one of the cankers (a^sava, q.v.) and clingings (upa^da^na, q.v.).
2. Objective sensuality is, in the canonical texts, mostly called ka^ma-guna, ”cords (or strands) of sensuality”.
"There are 5 cords of sensuality: the visible objects, cognizable by eye-consciousness, that are desirable, cherished, pleasant, lovely, sensuous and alluring; the sounds ... smells ... tastes ... bodily impressions cognizable by body-consciousness, that are desirable ...." (D. 33; M. 13, 26, 59, 66).
These two kinds of ka^ma are called 1. kilesa-ka^ma, i.e. ka^ma as a mental defilement, 2. vatthu-ka^ma, i.e. ka^ma as the object-base of sensuality; first in MNid.. I, p. 1, and frequently in the commentaries.
Sense-desire is finally eliminated at the stage of the Non-Returner (Ana^ga^mi; s. ariya-puggala, samyojana).
The peril and misery of sense-desire is often described in the texts, e.g. in stirring similes at M. 22, 54, and in the ”gradual instruction” (s. a^nupubbi^-katha^). See further M. 13, 45, 75; Sn. v. 766ff.; Dhp. 186, 215.
The texts often stress the fact that what fetters man to the world of the senses are not the sense-organs nor the sense-objects but lustful desire (chandara^ga). On this see A. VI, 63; S. XXXV, 122, 191. - (App.).