Nirvana is the supreme state free from suffering and individual existence, it is a state of wanting nothing. This is the ultimate goal for Buddhists, and I have finally made up my mind about what I think of this.
Have you ever wanted to be liberated from wanting something, either by getting it, or by just not wanting it anymore? and what about the four freedoms? what about freedom from want? I understand that the {freedom from want} is advantageous because the goal is to get.
But, I think wanting is action. Wanting is change. Wanting is innovation. Wanting is also the very first step in getting. In getting all sorts of good attainable things like grilled cheese and love.
So, I dont think you can reach enlightenment by not wanting. This is not to promote greed, you will probably never get all you want anyway. But I think that to want is to be alive. I want to want. Want is hope.
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Ahhh... but the concept of "not wanting", for the Buddhist, is simply a precautionary measure designed to protect the enlightened from the inevitable disappointment that stems from the gradual (or not so gradual) decay inherent in all possessions; indeed, in all things. So, effectively, it's more of a practical concept, which is interpreted by most progressive-thinking Buddhists to mean "Don't get too attached to anything, because said attachment will ultimately 'end in tears'".
ReplyDeleteEven the Dalai Lama digs his Casio calculator-watch.
Point taken J. Krus.
ReplyDeleteBUT I think I am more interested in this state of wanting...devoid of the eventual getting or not getting, and the subsequent disappointment.
But I did read once that the Dalai Lama resists material goods by asking himself {do I REALLY need it?} and the answer is usually No.