Expert: Justin Choo - 9/29/2010

Question
Dear sir,

1. What is driving our lives. is it desire or interest or expectation or aiming? which should be controlled and why?
2. Buddhism encourages becoming monks giving up all? What if one comes joins as monk giving up his family?
3. What is the difference between like and desire..
 if i like to go to place, i ll go there. is there any desire behind that and which will cause anytrouble?
4. If someone desires to have something and he has potential to buy it then what is the problem in there having desire on something yet he doesnot get upset when he loses it?

Answer
Hi Uday,

1. What is driving our lives. is it desire or interest or expectation or aiming? which should be controlled and why?

I would say all the above influence our lives.  Buddhism advocates a balanced lifestyle.  Live in moderation.

2. Buddhism encourages becoming monks giving up all? What if one comes joins as monk giving up his family?

Buddhism actually does not encourage people to become monks.  It emphasizes the advantages of becoming a monk to pursue spiritual advancement.

3. What is the difference between like and desire..
if i like to go to place, i ll go there. is there any desire behind that and which will cause anytrouble?

Buddhist concept of desire is on sensual desire.  Unchecked sensual desire will lead to problems.  Craving is a higher intensity of desire.  A person with unchecked craving will become "crazy"!  You can say "like" is a low-key desire.  As normal humans, we cannot ignore or rid of everything.  As I said earlier, we shoiuld lead a moderate life-style.


4. If someone desires to have something and he has potential to buy it then what is the problem in there having desire on something yet he doesnot get upset when he loses it?

As you asked, "what is the problem?"  You assumed there was a problem because you misinterprete the Buddhist concept of unchecked sensual desire.  So in this case, there wasn't any problem in the first place.


Take care.

Justin Choo