Experience the reality of non-self by renouncing desires to attain enlightenment, that’s the essence of Buddhism

 

In 2024, the followers of Buddhism are going to celebrate Vesak Day on May 23 to mark the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. 

According to the UN, Vesak is the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world. "It was on the Day of Vesak two and a half millennia ago, in the year 623 B.C., that the Buddha was born. It was also on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha attained enlightenment, and it was on the Day of Vesak that the Buddha in his eightieth year passed away," it adds asserting that he teachings of the Buddha, and his message of compassion and peace and goodwill have moved millions across the globe.

The Day of Vesak is also the occasion to revisit the essence of Buddhism which has universal appeal for humanity.In Buddhism, desires or cravings (trishnas), are seen as the root cause of Karma and suffering. As identified by the Buddha, three types of desires often dominate and enslave the ignorant, namely, craving for sensual pleasures (Kamanas / Vasanas),  craving for becoming something or ego (Aham), and craving for permanence or gains-and-fame (Amartv).

 Out of the three types of cravings, the most dangerous are the desires for sense-pleasures. According to Buddhism, Vasana also include desires for wealth and power as well as desire for and attachment to ideas, ideals, views, opinions, theories, conceptions and beliefs.

 In Buddhism, liberation happens with cessation of desires which is deemed as the aim of human life.   However, liberation as as an evolutionary inner process after experiencing  three milestones of existence - dukkha (suffering), anicca (impermanence) and anatta (non-self or no-soul).

 If the seeker or striver, through his or her own experience, feels the reality of non-self, he or she loses the locus for attachment (clinging to desires) to attain enlightenment and subsequent Nirvana.

Here are some haiku which I had blogged for scratchmysoul.


 HAIKU:

Renounce all desires. /

Divinity will arise. /

True self will shine forth.

~*~

Desires disunite, /

Desires breed divisive ego, /

 Distance you from Truth.

~*~

Desires degrade you. / Desires make you sub-human. / Desires breed grabbers.

Wanna be happy, / Renounce all desires of yours. / Just act, aspire not.

Desire not, rise up. / Desires unleash in-devil. /They're cause of sorrow.

Desires leash and lead. / Desires externalize you, / Away from your true self.

Only humans're free / To renounce their desires. / ‘N realize their true self.

 

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