A Question for Buddhists?

Question

How do we reconcile the Dalai Lama's observation that "Every human being has the potential to create happiness", with your own teaching that suffering is caused by desire? If one sets out to resist desire, why would one ever then entertain the desire for happiness, and thus work to create it?

Answer 1

one hand clapping question makes my head hurt.
to want to end suffering is a want ... you're right.
let me meditate on that ... i'll get back to you, plus i have to pick up family and run errands now...but i wanted to save your question.

Answer 2

I had been a practising Buddhist for decades and I need to say that I recognize the quantity of attempt that you simply positioned into this, as good because the clever solutions you've got located right here. Normally while my religion is criticized, it's through uneducated persons who simply wish to assault for the motive of attacking so I admire your procedure. In addition to that, I can say that I trust plenty of your aspects - nonetheless, this doesn't rattle my religion in any respect. I would write for hours on how I trust your aspects and upload my possess religion into that however I will attempt to preserve it functional for the motive of this posting. Although, I might without doubt now not disagree to a long term dialog approximately this if you're interested. Buddha mentioned: "Believe not anything, whether or not you listen it from Me or any individual else until you are aware of it to be actual." My belief of this announcement is what maintains my religion regardless of all of the problems and human mistakes that experience encircled the religion. I recognize that plenty of matters contradict every different and the cause is visible - If you're taking a religion and unfold it round to exceptional cultures it'll expand into anything that intently resembles the tradition that has taken it. Even I am responsible of this however I believe that it's crucial for my fundamental know-how. You can not difference what we're and what we're is human. Human's look to have an innate want for a "god" determine and despite the fact that it's towards the Buddha's beliefs, he has end up a "god" in a way. Still, I refute this notion as an proficient individual does the exceptional they may be able to to do what's proper and that's the fundamental main of religion mostly. If we cut up straws on what persons have performed, the well in Buddha's phrases might under no circumstances encourage persons. Inspiration is the important thing however nonetheless human mistakes has warped plenty of matters. This is right in each religion, Judaism, Taoism, Hindu, Christianity and Islam. I consider the nice Messiah's, Profits, and "gods" are extra excited about making our hearts natural and being well however I fully grasp the problems of blind religion and ideas of Nihilism. So, I will finish my debate with a quote from the Dali Lama, he mentioned that the religion is well however it's not for every person. You must be actual to you and if that implies being rather then Buddhism, please do this due to the fact that the factor is to uncover your happiness.

Answer 3

Great question. I don't think I resist desire all the time. Sure, if I'm sitting or meditating, yes. But I don't need to live like that all the time. I think the Dalai Lama is just saying (as he does in other ways) that you can have happiness. It's right there and all you have to say is 'I am happy' (well, and feel it, but it's not that far away, not like nirvana). It's actually a yogic precept as well. Be happy or content.

Answer 4

See, one of the major misconceptions about Buddhism is that the teachings are about direct "forcing" or "resisting" and giving stuff up. The thing is, when you apply, through study and meditation, the Buddha's teachings, these things come by default (you might hear me babbling about this often) not by "force". It's about a middle way... as you begin to understand the Buddha's words more and more often, chewing it over yourself and testing and coming to the same conclusions, the altruism and such grows on you easily and the other things simply go bye-bye by default.

For example... as I began to understand the reasons the Buddha gave (as taught by Venerable Thubten Chodron in her book on anger) about cultivating patience and such, my anger issues began falling off by default, I didn't have to actively force myself to "grin and bear it" when somebody does something that normally would've jagged my sense of self-cherishment. I just began seeing things differently and not reacting the same old ways.

So by seeing what really causes happiness and understanding it to the point that you embody the teachings you start losing the "desire" for certain things by default and it's a peaceful thing... no pain involved on your part.

Desire is a misunderstanding of the real nature of things... you THINK those things ultimately make you happy, but when you understand that all things are changing and impermanent and it sinks in hard you're just not that attached to the old "wants", "gotta haves" feelings as much anymore, OR you buy it but your attachment to it isn't as strong, so when that '69 Camaro you just bought after a retreat, which you spent so much time fixing up gets dented and the paint job whacked you're not quite as spastically mad as you might have been in the past.

Does any of my babbling bullexcrement make sense? If not just thwack me over the head and I'll try to explain better.

_()_

Answer 5

The Second Noble Truth is often misquoted and here is no exception. Suffering's cause has nothing to do with desire per se', rather suffering is caused by the clinging nature of self serving desires, not the desires themselves.

Every human Being craves the feelings we get from self serving human desires. It is these feelings which are the cause of other's and our own suffering, not the desires themselves, as desires can be thwarted. We must detach ourselves from these feelings we crave. They are attachments which are self centered and therefore impermanent. We do not desire happiness for ourselves, on the contrary, we desire other's happiness for that in itself for no personal gain whatsoever.

Selfless desires are to be embraced and encouraged. to create happiness for others is to remove suffering. To do this we must be compassionate and to do this properly we must desire their happiness. This is being selfless and having selfless desires. We let go of the selfish desire to help ourselves and embrace the desire to help others. Not an easy thing to do as it takes real effort and real thought.

The Noble Eightfold Path enables us to adjust the way we think to embrace selflessness and abandon selfishness. We do not desire happiness for ourselves, but we work for the happiness of others which engenders it in us. We do not seek it, it is simply the consequence of our actions.

We do not resist desire. We abandon self serving desire and embrace selfless desire. We create happiness by removing suffering.

We abandon self serving desire by understanding ourselves as part of understanding the Four Noble Truths fully, rather than misinterpretting them.

Peace from a Buddhist...

Answer 6

"Every human being has the potential to create happiness." Period. It doesn't mean that happiness is only created from our desires. I could well desire $50,000,000. It doesn't mean I am not happy in my life without it. This is what he is trying to point out. "Every human being has the potential to create happiness." Potential = key word. What is a man's happiness? To each his own I say.

Answer 7

Am a new student of Buddhism, only a yr.
It is important that we skillfully keep a humbly teachable attitude in life.
To be honest with you, I have even had a little confusion myself in these matters. Am still learning with the intent of applying info.
"*Gaz, has provided a Most Excellent explanation, which may help you, and many others, such as myself. Have been questioning similiar things, such as what you've asked but concerning close relationship with wife.*"
The information Gaz has provided has greatly helped me, as it has many others.
Vinslave, and Anger Eating Demon {as Gaz)
have been Buddhists for much, longer than myself, and have much more insightful knowledge to share with people to highly benefit from. I cut and paste many of their answers to add in Word Document, to learn from, with the purpose of applying the information. Reading Dharma books frequently and practicing Insight Meditation greatly contributes to our clear comprehension of things, people and situations in life.
Hopefully Vinslave and Anger Eating Demon will come across your excellent question as well and put there .02 in. Have always had a corky sense of humor, hopefully it doesn't offend anyone.

Thank You for giving me the opportunity to share a little information, even if only my opinion, to your most excellent question.

Have a Optimistically Fantastic Weekend.

Answer 8

The Buddha taught that only truth and compassion are eternal therefore real happiness is only found by those who desire to find truth and practice compassion .