Friday, April 23, 2010

Dharma Quote - Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche on Desires


ESSENTIAL PRACTICE
Lectures on Kamalashila's Stages of
Meditation in the Middle Way School

by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
translated and introduced
by Jules B. Levinson

more...

Dharma Quote of the Week

Q: Does every kind of desire lead to pain?

A: Not all desire leads directly to pain. However, the very word expresses the sense of sticking to something. It does not permit freedom. It binds. When attached and fastened to something, we cannot move far away. It is as if the desired object pulls us back, and we cannot free ourselves from it. For this kind of desire we use a term meaning attachment. So long as we are attached, we stick there and cannot achieve liberation. However, this does not necessarily entail chaos and pain.

Q: Does that mean that some desire is actually beneficial?

A: In the Tibetan language, desire names an attachment that harms ourselves and others. The source of benefit for ourselves and others receives a different name; we call that "longing."

--from Essential Practice: Lectures on Kamalashila's Stages of Meditation in the Middle Way School by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche, translated and introduced by Jules B. Levinson, published by Snow Lion Publications


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