Expert: Justin Choo - 6/6/2007

Question
what are buddhist view on music, is it just another physical desire? or what?

Answer
Hi Ben,

Welcome back.

In Buddhism, it is important to know that there are two types of truth.  One is "conventional" truth and the other is "ultimate" truth.  The former deals with our mundane affairs like time, money and nationality.  Our lives depend on our proper interactions with these conventional truths.  Otherwise, it will be difficult for us to fit into our society.  Whereas ultimate truths are not dictated by our mundane affairs.  They are truths which transcend nationality, belief, time and space.  The Buddha's teachings are about ultimate truths.  If we do not separate these two aspects we will face a lot of misinterpretation of the Buddha's teachings, leading to misunderstanding, confusion and contradiction.

Now, coming back to your question.  As lay people, meaning ordinary people like you and me; we live an ordinary worldly life, doing ordinary worldly things, and enjoying ordinary worldly pleasures.  Music is one of these ordinary worldly pleasures.  It gives us pleasure by entertaining our senses.  It also challenges us to greater heights if we are gifted in music.  There is nothing contrary to the Buddha's teachings.  This is a reality in conventional truths.

However, if we want to take our lives to a higher spiritual level, then we have to consider the ultimate truths as taught by the Buddha.  Anything that sensitizes the senses is a hindrance to Buddhist spiritual practice, because it creates attachment to these pleasures which will not lead to liberation from existence.

As lay persons, we walk the middle path, balancing the pleasures of life with the detachment of desires.  

Smile from justinchoo :-)