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A paradox

WindwalkerWindwalker
edited December 2005 in Buddhism Basics
Desire causes suffering, right?

So I have a 'desire' to meet the Dalai Lama, does that mean I suffer for it?

Whatsupwitdat???

Comments

  • federicafederica Seeker of the clear blue sky... Its better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak out and remove all doubt Moderator
    edited December 2005
    Windwalker wrote:
    Desire causes suffering, right?

    So I have a 'desire' to meet the Dalai Lama, does that mean I suffer for it?

    Whatsupwitdat???[/QUOTE]

    It is our Attachment to our Desire that causes suffering.... I too want to meet the Dalai Lama - but if it doesn't happen, well, that's that....
    Other people who if they don't get to meet say, Robbie Williams or Beyoncé would simply die.....!! That's attachment to desire.... They are so focussed on their goal, it becomes the be all and end all of their lives, and nothing else matters....
    Thasswrong!! :)
    TheEccentric
  • buddhafootbuddhafoot Veteran
    edited December 2005
    What if you wanted to meet the Dali Lama really bad.

    And then you found out he was going to be walking by your house when you were going to be out of town doing something else (something that you really didn't care to do). Now, you're feeling angry because you're going to miss something that will be so close to you that you could actually touch it - it's no longer a pipe-dream - YOU COULD MEET THE DALI LAMA.

    But you can't get out of this engagement and it frustrates and angers you. Causes you to be angered at the damn idiots that set this engagement up in the first place, etc.

    Now is this desire to see the Dali Lama causing you suffering?

    I think sometimes desires can change and cause us suffering based upon a given set of variables.

    -bf
  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    edited December 2005
    Windwalker,

    Ananda once used the analogy of a park. If you want to go to the park you have to have the desire to go. You have to walk along the path that leads to the park until you are there. Once you are at the park, there is no more need of desire - there's nothing left to do.

    :)

    Jason
  • zenmonk_genryuzenmonk_genryu
    edited December 2005
    Windwalker wrote:
    Desire causes suffering, right?

    So I have a 'desire' to meet the Dalai Lama, does that mean I suffer for it?

    Whatsupwitdat???


    Then why not arrange to meet him? It's inappropriate attachment to desire, as Federica referred to, that causes suffering. Desire itself is both healthy and natural.
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