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Buddhists/The Enlightened Buddhist approach to Desire and the Four Requesites

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Expert: - 4/17/2009


Question
I am confused about the whole concept regarding desires in Buddhism. I understand that I am always going to have desires, and Buddhism mentions this I believe. How does an enlightened person approach desires? Does he ignore them or repress them?

Also, If I am in a cold atmosphere, I have a desire to put on more clothes, such as a jacket. How would an enlightened person react to this situation? Would he fulfill his desire of warmth?
If this is an issue of unnecessary desires vs. Physiological needs, to what extent does a need become a desire?
Thank you,
Joey  

Answer

Anicca, Dukkha, Anatta
Dear Joey,

In regards to Desire. I understand that an awakened one would take the approach of an observer rather than ignoring or repressing them. Therefore rather than acting upon the desire it is more of an acknowledging of and observing the process - and not acting on it through ignorance of the way things are - in this way, no more karma is created.

So as long as we are not caught up in our delusional clinging unsatisfied habitual mind then engaging in certain things mindfully without attachment is the approach suggested in Buddhism.

In regards to living in a cold atmosphere. If one who is enlightened is still in the human form, they must keep it alive and healthy like any other human being - if one is cold and it is effecting there health - then through a basic instinct of survival they will look for warmth, this cannot be classed as 'desire'. Food, shelter, clothing and medicine are all one requires in life to keep alive. These are what are known as the four requisites.

Remember the middle way.

Metta, Shozen
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/2009/03/love-compassion-and-enlightenment.html
http://www.knowbuddhism.info/

Buddhis8 - BuddhismIS.com

Expertise

James Chen Ball is the founder of the Buddhism IS Community Forum and Know Buddhism Blog. His primary focus is promoting Meditation practise through his websites and establishing an active Buddhist social community on the Internet. James' approach to Buddhism is intuitive and you will rarely find him referring to Sutras or similar ancient Buddhist texts but rather his words come from experience and a natural grasp of Buddhism. A long-time lay practitioner and student of Buddhism who has lived and studied as a lay monastic in all of the three major traditions of Buddhism (Theravada, Mahayana and Tibetan/Vajrayana) practicing alongside Bhikku's and studying under Monks such as Ajahn Sumedho and H.E Lopon Tenzin Jigme Rinpoche III. I am happy to receive any question you have on the vast topic of Buddhism and will endeavor to give you a clear and honest answer where possible.

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I am a long-time lay practitioner and student of Buddhism for over 14 years. I have lived as a lay monastic in many monasteries around the world studying and practicing alongside the Sangha.

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