🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive livestreams, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂 📙 You can find my book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
As Doug was talking about aspiring for an ever better class of air travel, I couldn't help but think about those billionaires who have been building their own rocket ships. Truly, craving can be endless. One of those fellows seems to aspire to be king of the world as well.
That's one of the most important distinctions imho. And you present and explain it in such a clear way that I wish that all serious Buddhist practitioners would watch this video - for the benefit of all beings. Thank you, Doug! 🐱🙏
This is a great distinction t make in a dharma perspective, because without aspiration someone can not move forward but with craving someone is held back in the worst way possible.
I appreciate your videos Doug, even English is not my native language you explain concepts in an easy way to understand. First time I comment after years of watching your videos, please keep doing it and sharing your wisdom!
Excellent lesson Doug. Although I have been retired for several years and I'm comfortable, though far from wealthy, I found this to be highly relevant to my life.
Very nice presentation🙏 I am Dany from Bangladesh. I am currently studying Buddhism in Myanmar. 🙏🪷 A few days ago, I was introduced to your channel. I wish you happiness and freedom from suffering. 🪷🙏
We can also see the Pali terms to differentiate between these things. Craving - tanha - which is immoderate, obsessive desire, is connected to attachment - upadana, greed - lobha, and coveting - iccha, especially having many and big desires - mahicchata (whereas having few and small desires - appicchata - is praised). Different from these problematic things there are desire - asa, a wish we have, resolution /chosen desire - chanda, and intense desire - raga, all of which are fine. We can desire (asa) and resolve ourselves (chanda) to pursue virtue or enlightenment, and Suttas even mention someone having dhammaraga, an intense desire for following the Buddha's teachings. We can of course have desires for the various typical daily things, but also desiring pleasure is totally fine. Buddha said that lay people *should* pursue pleasure and enjoyments, as long as they do it under four conditions: they don't do the ten unwholesome actions, they make themselves happy, they share happiness with others, and they pursue enjoyments in a non-attached non-infatuated way. So we can also have asa and chanda towards pleasures and enjoyments in general. In fact Buddha said lay people should be criticized if they dont do so (if one wants to avoid pleasures they shouldn't be a lay person, but take on some monastic precepts).
Thanks a lot. It was much needed for me. 🙏 Focusing on the process without worrying about the outcomes (aka Nishkama Karma) is also a key doctrine of Bhagavad Gita 🙏.
I am struggling with being so unhappy because of the political situation and the sheer amount of greed, hatred, and delusion and hurt in the world. I wonder if I can ever be happy without seeing perfect justice and I am never satisfied with my small actions
I decided to look at and accept the current situation as the reality in which I live and work within it. I am fairly content in taking action to resist, fight back where I can and lend a little financial support to those who are doing the heavy lifting. Plus, I participate in groups and communities where I can give and receive emotional and spiritual support. And I accept that alone, my activities don't help very much, but with millions of others pitching in, it does add up. It also helps me maintain my sanity. By doing a little bit every day, I keep helplessness and hopelessness at bay, because we are in crazy times. I am 70 and although I've never experienced anything like this, I know enough history to believe we'll be okay. But it'll be a while.
you must be spying on me-i've been struggling to distinguish these two and align myself to my goals for the past few days. thank you so much for this vid!
The unrescued I will rescue The unliberated I will liberate The uncomforted I will comfort Those who have not yet reached parinirvana, I will cause to attain parinirvana
In the book “the scientific Buddha” the author hammers home the point that Buddha was fixated on the idea that this world is on fire. There is no distinction between aspiration and craving. Using the example of a small business with good intentions - it requires maintenance or else it fails - that maintenance to keep it afloat - that act is suffering and fear of loss of the business is the catalyst for that work The loss of children, family, home - everything is craving and causes suffering Buddha did not expect us to live like he did - only monks are expected to live in such a way - we are householders that will return for eons but creating distinctions about ok cravings and bad ones is denying the foundation of buddhas teaching It is hard to accept that his teaching wasn’t all metta - this world is on fire was the centerpiece PS I didn’t personally love the Scientific Buddha but the author was not wrong that we often write things in that were not there
I think the idea of creating a business is a form of craving. The aspiration to provide good to the self and the people around requires gifting freely, because needs must be met. A business is about finding a problem and exploiting it for profit. A gift economy is understanding what the people need and planning around what we can make.
That's the perfect follow up video from previous week's one about mindfulness in daily life! If I may ask, using your examples, what difference do you see in an artist or scientist pursuing a goal out of pure interest (which appears is closer to aspiration) and trying to fill a void/purging a demon (which appears to be is closer to craving)? I can imagine a scientist motivated by trying to find a cure for cancer, and that is clearly a positive motivation for it, but not all science is like that, and some of it can be quite menial and not (at least so clearly) have a direct positive impact on others... Let me rephrase the question, by giving an example that is closer to my situation: let's say I'm interested in learning more about a certain technology within programming. As far as I'm aware, I don't have a clear intention of having a positive impact in the world through this learning, but I have an interest of pursuing this knowledge nonetheless. This seems akin to your artist/scientist example, pursuing a goal out of pure interest. But how is my interest any different from me trying to fill some void within me, i.e. different from strong craving? Thank you as always for your videos and keep up the great work! 🙏
It's a great question, offhand I'd say the only way to know the difference is by deep, careful, mindful introspection. Because I do think there is a difference between wanting something out of pure curiosity or a desire to help, as versus wanting something out of craving to fill some internal void.
🧡 If you find benefit in my videos, consider supporting the channel by joining us on Patreon and get fun extras like exclusive livestreams, ad-free audio-only versions, and extensive show notes: www.patreon.com/dougsseculardharma 🙂
📙 You can find my book here: books2read.com/buddhisthandbook
As Doug was talking about aspiring for an ever better class of air travel, I couldn't help but think about those billionaires who have been building their own rocket ships. Truly, craving can be endless. One of those fellows seems to aspire to be king of the world as well.
Exactly!!
That's one of the most important distinctions imho. And you present and explain it in such a clear way that I wish that all serious Buddhist practitioners would watch this video - for the benefit of all beings. Thank you, Doug! 🐱🙏
🙏🐈
This is a great distinction t make in a dharma perspective, because without aspiration someone can not move forward but with craving someone is held back in the worst way possible.
🙏
I appreciate your videos Doug, even English is not my native language you explain concepts in an easy way to understand.
First time I comment after years of watching your videos, please keep doing it and sharing your wisdom!
Thanks for your first comment! 🙏😊
Always asking good questions. This is something I thought about. Thank you 🙏.
Lots of practical advice. Thanks Doug 🙏🏻
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent lesson Doug. Although I have been retired for several years and I'm comfortable, though far from wealthy, I found this to be highly relevant to my life.
Very nice presentation🙏 I am Dany from Bangladesh. I am currently studying Buddhism in Myanmar. 🙏🪷 A few days ago, I was introduced to your channel. I wish you happiness and freedom from suffering. 🪷🙏
Welcome!
Great, Doug. Greetings from Germany
🙏😄
We can also see the Pali terms to differentiate between these things. Craving - tanha - which is immoderate, obsessive desire, is connected to attachment - upadana, greed - lobha, and coveting - iccha, especially having many and big desires - mahicchata (whereas having few and small desires - appicchata - is praised). Different from these problematic things there are desire - asa, a wish we have, resolution /chosen desire - chanda, and intense desire - raga, all of which are fine.
We can desire (asa) and resolve ourselves (chanda) to pursue virtue or enlightenment, and Suttas even mention someone having dhammaraga, an intense desire for following the Buddha's teachings. We can of course have desires for the various typical daily things, but also desiring pleasure is totally fine. Buddha said that lay people *should* pursue pleasure and enjoyments, as long as they do it under four conditions: they don't do the ten unwholesome actions, they make themselves happy, they share happiness with others, and they pursue enjoyments in a non-attached non-infatuated way. So we can also have asa and chanda towards pleasures and enjoyments in general. In fact Buddha said lay people should be criticized if they dont do so (if one wants to avoid pleasures they shouldn't be a lay person, but take on some monastic precepts).
Yes, well said!
Thanks a lot. It was much needed for me. 🙏
Focusing on the process without worrying about the outcomes (aka Nishkama Karma) is also a key doctrine of Bhagavad Gita 🙏.
I am struggling with being so unhappy because of the political situation and the sheer amount of greed, hatred, and delusion and hurt in the world. I wonder if I can ever be happy without seeing perfect justice and I am never satisfied with my small actions
You aren't alone! But if it gets too much please look for help. There's no point being miserable over things bigger than us.
I decided to look at and accept the current situation as the reality in which I live and work within it. I am fairly content in taking action to resist, fight back where I can and lend a little financial support to those who are doing the heavy lifting. Plus, I participate in groups and communities where I can give and receive emotional and spiritual support. And I accept that alone, my activities don't help very much, but with millions of others pitching in, it does add up. It also helps me maintain my sanity. By doing a little bit every day, I keep helplessness and hopelessness at bay, because we are in crazy times. I am 70 and although I've never experienced anything like this, I know enough history to believe we'll be okay. But it'll be a while.
you must be spying on me-i've been struggling to distinguish these two and align myself to my goals for the past few days. thank you so much for this vid!
Wonderful! 😄
The unrescued I will rescue
The unliberated I will liberate
The uncomforted I will comfort
Those who have not yet reached parinirvana, I will cause to attain parinirvana
Thanks for the great video
Great teaching thank you
My pleasure!
In the book “the scientific Buddha” the author hammers home the point that Buddha was fixated on the idea that this world is on fire. There is no distinction between aspiration and craving. Using the example of a small business with good intentions - it requires maintenance or else it fails - that maintenance to keep it afloat - that act is suffering and fear of loss of the business is the catalyst for that work
The loss of children, family, home - everything is craving and causes suffering
Buddha did not expect us to live like he did - only monks are expected to live in such a way - we are householders that will return for eons but creating distinctions about ok cravings and bad ones is denying the foundation of buddhas teaching
It is hard to accept that his teaching wasn’t all metta - this world is on fire was the centerpiece
PS I didn’t personally love the Scientific Buddha but the author was not wrong that we often write things in that were not there
Sure. The Buddha taught in different ways to different audiences. To monastic audiences he stressed that the world was on fire.
I think the idea of creating a business is a form of craving. The aspiration to provide good to the self and the people around requires gifting freely, because needs must be met. A business is about finding a problem and exploiting it for profit. A gift economy is understanding what the people need and planning around what we can make.
Here's a video I did awhile back about the Buddha's advice for running a small business ... ua-cam.com/video/jX7suYpv8WM/v-deo.html
🙏🏼👍
Exactly when I am finishing some studies to achieve a new degree, it is a personal goal. But I am having doubts why I keep spending money and time.
That's the perfect follow up video from previous week's one about mindfulness in daily life!
If I may ask, using your examples, what difference do you see in an artist or scientist pursuing a goal out of pure interest (which appears is closer to aspiration) and trying to fill a void/purging a demon (which appears to be is closer to craving)? I can imagine a scientist motivated by trying to find a cure for cancer, and that is clearly a positive motivation for it, but not all science is like that, and some of it can be quite menial and not (at least so clearly) have a direct positive impact on others...
Let me rephrase the question, by giving an example that is closer to my situation: let's say I'm interested in learning more about a certain technology within programming. As far as I'm aware, I don't have a clear intention of having a positive impact in the world through this learning, but I have an interest of pursuing this knowledge nonetheless. This seems akin to your artist/scientist example, pursuing a goal out of pure interest. But how is my interest any different from me trying to fill some void within me, i.e. different from strong craving?
Thank you as always for your videos and keep up the great work! 🙏
It's a great question, offhand I'd say the only way to know the difference is by deep, careful, mindful introspection. Because I do think there is a difference between wanting something out of pure curiosity or a desire to help, as versus wanting something out of craving to fill some internal void.
@@DougsDharma Thank you 🙏 I will continue reflecting on it during formal meditation!