【Description】
When some practitioners of Buddhism take their practice further, they may abandon their family or leave their jobs to live in a cave, swearing not to be muddled by world affairs; this is done to “avoid all temptations”. There are also those who don’t do anything, including practice, because they believe that Buddhism is about not being attached to anything.
Should self-cultivators have attachments to anything? How should you view attachment? Is abandoning practice the correct interpretation of the Diamond Sutra? In this video, Grandmaster JinBodhi deepens your understanding by differentiating what you should be attached to and what you should let go of
【You will learn】
- Understand “attachment” correctly and be attached to the right things
- What you should be attached to and what you should let go of
【Featured aphorisms】
- When a high level state of mind is yet to be cultivated, it is fine to be attached to something.
- “No attachment” advocated by Buddhism means “not showing greed”.
【Content】
Each stage has its method of practice. Presently, we are at the foundational stage where the practice cultivates a sincere heart.
Just now I mentioned four words: Venerated respect. What is venerated respect? Some say it means no attachment at all. That is also correct. There are different stages of realization. When we are not at the highest peak of realization, there is still a need to have certain attachments. What do you need to fixate on? Fixate on venerated respect.
Some people say that The Diamond Sutra says we need to let go of even Buddhadharma. Then what else am I clinging to? Finally many people stop practicing because of the misconception. We should practice non-attachment as part of our self-cultivation. But don’t fixate on attaining Buddhahood. I fixate on venerated respect.
Whatever non-attachment is found therein, there is still an element of attachment. If there were none, we would be in the state of death, a state without any feeling of existence. If a person were alive but without