Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org
Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org
Lessons In Practical Buddhism - Sirimangalo.Org
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haven’t studied the Buddha’s teaching, whether they be<br />
Buddhists or non-Buddhists have a very hard time seeing the<br />
danger inherent in craving. They generally think that their<br />
likes and dislikes are what make them who they are; this is<br />
exactly the problem, that we cultivate some conception of<br />
self, of “I”, of “what I like and dislike”, when actually there is<br />
no “I”, when actually we’re creating our personalities as we<br />
go along. Out of ignorance, we mistake the addictions<br />
cultivated through habitual craving as a self, and so it is<br />
ignorance that continues the cycle here as well.<br />
<strong>In</strong> order to justify our cravings, we say, “I like this, I like<br />
that,” as though this were adequate justification for the<br />
craving. Self-affirmation is the connection between craving<br />
and addiction. At the time when we crave something, we<br />
think, “yes, that’s something I like, this is my preference,”<br />
and this strengthens and solidifies the craving into a habit.<br />
So, there comes to be addiction where we cling to the object,<br />
and are unable to let it go. We may become so unable to<br />
bear its absence that we will actually cause great suffering<br />
for ourselves and others if we don’t get it. This is the great<br />
danger inherent in simply liking something: that we are not<br />
static creatures. We are dynamic, and everything we do and<br />
think affects our nature. Craving gives rise to clinging; you<br />
can’t stop it simply by force of will. You can’t simply wish for<br />
liking to stay as just liking or craving without giving rise to<br />
clinging.<br />
Part Four: Suffering<br />
Clinging gives rise to becoming, which refers to the creative<br />
process – creating circumstances wherein we can manifest<br />
what we want and avoid what we do not. Becoming means<br />
cultivating and building up – often building up a huge ego or<br />
identification with reality as “who I am”: “my status in life,<br />
my stable reality, my home, my car, my family” and so on.<br />
Based on the cultivation of clinging, we build up our whole<br />
reality. The answer to why beings are so diverse – why some<br />
are rich while some are poor, some are healthy while some<br />
are sick, etc. – is based very much on the paths we have<br />
chosen from life to life. Our families, our careers, our<br />
personalities, our religious and political affiliations and views<br />
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