punkdbass
I will be what I will be
The commentary for the chapter "Thirst" in the Dhammapada (Eknath Easwaran's translation), basically says that we need to learn how to let go of selfish desires, but not necessarily all desires. The commentator says that the word "trishna (thirst)" does not mean all desires; but rather refers to selfish desires, the conditioned craving for self-agrandizement. "He distinguished raw, unregulated, self directed trishna from the unselfish and uplifting desire to dissolve one's egotism in selfless service of all."
He says the Buddha did not want to denigrate all desires, for he knew that certainly desire plays a role in fueling progress on the 8-fold path; and that we need "Virya (vigor)" - which is intense desire directed towards spiritual growth. Also from the quote above, it appears that desire to selflessly serve others is a good thing as well.
I guess the reason I made this thread is because when I first got into Buddhism, the idea of "eliminating all one's desires" made me feel like the Buddha was making life meaningless, and I know I'm not the only person whose stumbled over this concept. But I just want to clarify to make sure I'm understanding this correctly... what I get from this commentary is that the Buddha wan'ts us to learn to not yield to selfish desires, but that the desire for spiritual progress on the 8-fold path, as well as the desire to selflessly serve others are good things? What do you think.. can there be good desires?
He says the Buddha did not want to denigrate all desires, for he knew that certainly desire plays a role in fueling progress on the 8-fold path; and that we need "Virya (vigor)" - which is intense desire directed towards spiritual growth. Also from the quote above, it appears that desire to selflessly serve others is a good thing as well.
I guess the reason I made this thread is because when I first got into Buddhism, the idea of "eliminating all one's desires" made me feel like the Buddha was making life meaningless, and I know I'm not the only person whose stumbled over this concept. But I just want to clarify to make sure I'm understanding this correctly... what I get from this commentary is that the Buddha wan'ts us to learn to not yield to selfish desires, but that the desire for spiritual progress on the 8-fold path, as well as the desire to selflessly serve others are good things? What do you think.. can there be good desires?