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cjan -> RE: destroying desire (3/12/2008 2:35:09 PM)
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LadyEllen
Philosophy time..........
Is a will to destroy desire to desire destruction?
Looking at it from a Buddhist perspective, the destruction of self (and thus attainment of spiritual progress) starts from the destruction of desire.
But looking at it from a western perspective, the destruction of our desire can be taken to be an indication of a will to self destruction; that is, a path towards suicide.
Are we dealing here with a cultural difference in outlook, (both arguments can be true) or can only one of these positions be true?
E
With all due respect, LadyEllen, That is not the Buddhist perpective. In Buddhism, there is no attempt to destroy the "self", or anything else, including desire. Like all things, desire ( in the sense of clinging ) is simply to be seen clearly, and having done so, one naturally lets go of it because it causes one to suffer. But, I want to be clear on this. It's not "desire" itself that causes suffering ( well, sometime it do, as we all know ;) ), it's the clinging to it, or to anything.
Buddhism, according to "the Buddha" himself, is following the Eightfold Path. It's a process of development and growth. According to Buddhism, and my experience bears this out, the "self" is an illusion. Not to be destroyed, but simply to be seen clearly, and , therefore, let go of ,(not "the "self", but again, the attachment to it ) as you would a hot coal, because attachment to such beliefs, any attachment to any belief, or anything else causes suffering. (stay with me here lol) .
Because, everything is impermanent, suffering (in the sense that clinging to it leads to suffering because "it" is impermanent, and "not self" ( in the sense that identifying with anything, including opinions , as self causes suffering, again, because it is impermanent). Yea I know it's hard to follow, but I don't know any other way to put it.
Basically, in life, we lose everything sooner or later. So, the Buddha's teaching of the Eightfold Path is a method for growth and a path to "letting go". Which, even in the process of walking the path, can lead to peace and joy.
Difficult shit to grasp and intellectually understanding it is not the same as seeing and experiencing it. That was why the Buddha, in his wisdom, never asked anyone to believe anything. He invites us all to come and see for ouselves.
Was that a rant ? I hope not. Thanks for the topic.
Btw,on a lighter not, it just occured to me that BDSM, pronounced phonetically, Is buddhism, ain't it ?
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