Intention of Renunciation

shanyin

Hello. I've been reading the eightfold path and I noticed right intention has involved 3 intentions that must be cultivated or however you wanna put it.

One of them is the intention of renunciation. What is to be renounced? Attachments; sensual pleasures?

DhammaDhatu

Welcome Shanyin,

The oldest teachings state renunciation is of sensual pleasures.

These teachings were for monks or serious practitioners rather than laypeople.

For laypeople, the Buddha taught moderation in sensual pleasures plus some renunciation where beneficial, especially if one can develop generosity as its counterpart.

As an example, in human relationships, the Buddha advised one's intentions are best be more than merely sensual. Whilst sensuality may naturally be part of relationship, compassion and duty are best be the foremost concern.

Kind regards

DDhatu

Palzang

Renunciation does indeed include sensual desire, but more importantly renunciation is the intention to give up attachment to all desire, as the Buddha taught that desire is the root cause of suffering (and desire has as its root cause the deluded belief in self and other). That doesn't mean that one goes off and seals oneself up in a cave somewhere. You can be a renunciate and live in the world as well. It's the sense of attachment to all the fleeting desires of the world that is renounced. When you can do that, even to a small degree, your happiness will increase.

Palzang

federica

Began new up-to-date thread.