Friday, October 20, 2006
37 Practices of a Bodhisattva Part 7
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When you encounter objects that please your mind,
Know they are like rainbows in the summer season.
Though they seem beautiful,
To see they are not real and to give up attachment to them
Is the practice of a Bodhisattva.
Note that it doesn't say to give up pleasant objects, but rather to give up attachment to them. According to the commentary by Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche, "Once the object is understood to be empty of essence, it can be enjoyed without clinging, without suffering. What is there to give up?"
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5 comments:
Is lack of individuality an unstated a goal in Buddhism?To give up attachment to a pleasant thing seems to me to try to erase an individual response to it. What makes us human or quirky or even neurotic is excessive responses to certain things.
I put forth this rather negative idea because I feel such a strong attachment (sorry!) to psychology, with its concentration on individual responses. That there can be no system, that human responses vary unendingly, seems to me one of the most fascinating and alive things about existence. It would be more peaceful to feel no attachment, but if everyone felt that way, what would be the way we expressed individuality?
Sorry if this is obtuse. I feel it is a bit Ayn Randish, yet I must say it.
Is lack of individuality an unstated goal of Buddhism? In the usual way this is meant, I would say definitely not. The goal of Buddhism is to develop our inner-most self. But, once we do this, we recognize that our innermost nature is the same as that of all sentient beings. I don't think this is quite what you're getting at though. I think you're asking whether our goal is to have a flat emotional response to the world, and again the answer is no, at least the way I see it. It's good to enjoy things, just not get attached to them, or even to get attached to the enjoyment. It's also inevitable that we'll get angry, but it's good to let it pass through you, rather than nursing it into a resentment. But now, I feel your point is that it's desirable to have neurotic responses to the world, because they make us interesting and human. Well, I do think it's good to see others "faults" as beautiful, part of the tapestry of the world, but I think it's also a good thing to aim to get rid of character defects within ourselves even as we accept, or even celebrate, the defects in others. Personally, I have a long way to go, so you needn't worry that I'll become a completely unneurotic and balanced individual anytime soon.
Your point resonates though, and I think one has to be careful in identifying character defects, since sometimes they are not defects, jut abnormalities in the eyes of a sick society.
My question was a bit aggressive, so thank you for answering it so respectfully.
People I know who are deeply into Buddhism and meditation certainly haven't had their personalities erased. They still have strong preferences and quirks. Maybe meditation frees you to become more quirky and individualistic. I don't know why I said what I did. I was home late from a movie, Old Joy, in which Will Oldham and another man go into the woods for a camping trip. To me, the movie spoke about currents of disappointment and sadness in American life. The friend I saw it with thought it was about male competition. At any rate, I had also been given a tour of the area around Berkeley that was breathtaking and partaken of some Berkeley social life and I had insomnia all night.
I'm in California.
I like the Berkeley area. Lots of good restaraunts, good scenery, interesting people, etc. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
I think it's true that meditation frees you to be more quirky and individualistic.
I didn't find your question to be aggresive, especially since you've come across as a good-hearted person. I think it's important not to suppress doubt.
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