responsibilty.

megahuman

I remember reading something once, but I can't recall it word for word, but it goes something like this:

Buddha and his fellow monks were sitting in a field, enjoying each others company and having happy talk.
A farmer came to the group and asked if they had seen his cows wondering by. He had five or so cows and they had escaped.
The group told what they could and the farmer went in the direction that they told. After he had gone, the Buddha said something like 'Are you glad you have no cows to tend to? The more you have, the more you must worry about and cling to.'

So, can this only be for materal (if a cow is a material possession...) clinging, or with people as well?

Also, any other things relating to or not on this topic would be appreciated. Thanks!

-mh

upalabhava

The same can definitely be said about people. Buddha thought that bondage to the responsibilities of a householder was inimical to spiritual development, thus he preached renunciation. (Of course, he certainly knew that not everyone would renounce their households, as that would remove the daily free-lunch from the Buddhist equation. No free-lunch if no one is working the fields.)

I just posted some verses of the Khaggavisana Sutta in another thread. Here's some relevant parts:

Like spreading bamboo, entwined, is concern for offspring & spouses. Like a bamboo sprout, unentangling, wander alone like a rhinoceros. As a deer in the wilds, unfettered, goes for forage wherever it wants: the wise person, valuing freedom, wanders alone like a rhinoceros. In the midst of companions — when staying at home, when going out wandering — you are prey to requests. Valuing the freedom wander alone like a rhinoceros.

federica

Cling to it with all your heart, might, love and compassion. Hold fast as if you would never let it go.
But -
When the time comes to relinquish your hold on it, free it as one would a small bird, and let it go joyfully, knowing you loved completely, totally, passionately and wholeheartedly, and released it in likewise fashion.

People, or possessions, habits, addictions and rituals.
All covered here.

TheJourney

It's inevitable that lay followers will have posessions and special people in their lives, yet lay people can attain liberation so posessions and people must not make that an impossibility. Have them because they are there. Let them have their purpose. Yet do not cling. If there is something more important to attend to than a posession, attend to that. If you must give up a posession, give it up. You can have without clinging. It is difficult, and this is why it is harder for lay followers.

megahuman

Thanks