India harbors the world's most ancient and sole surviving human civilization. From this civilization have emerged some of the most ancient, profound, and esteemed schools of thought and philosophies. Presently, these philosophies are collectively referred to as Indian Philosophies, encompassing Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
There are hardly any subjects untouched by the Indian philosophical schools. It's intriguing to explore how these ancient and insightful systems of thought approached psychological concepts such as desire, even in the context of the 21st century.
Buddhism (Story of Buddha)
WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF ALL THE SUFFERING?
Have you ever pondered over the ultimate source of all suffering in the world? It was this very question that drove Gautama Buddha to his renowned enlightenment. Raised in opulence within his father's palace, Gautama Buddha lived a life of luxury until the age of 29. His father, spurred by astrologers' predictions at Buddha's birth that he would either become a Universal ruler (Chakravartin) or an enlightened being (Buddha), ensured his son's seclusion from the outside world. This was done in hopes that Buddha would be drawn towards worldly rule rather than the path of monkhood.
At the age of 29, Buddha embarked on a chariot ride through his kingdom accompanied by his charioteer. During this journey, he encountered, for the first time in his life, an elderly person. Upon inquiry, his charioteer explained that aging is an inevitable part of life, affecting everyone including Buddha's own parents and eventually himself.
Subsequently, Buddha witnessed an individual afflicted by illness. His charioteer elucidated that suffering from sickness and pain is a universal experience for all beings, which deeply troubled Buddha.
As their journey continued, they came across a deceased individual, prompting the charioteer to convey that death is an unavoidable destiny for all living beings. These encounters left Buddha distressed and sorrowful, confronted with the harsh realities of human existence.
However, amidst these somber revelations, Buddha encountered a fourth sight: a monk committed to unraveling the root cause of human suffering. This sight instilled in him a glimmer of hope, inspiring him to believe that liberation from the cycle of suffering and rebirth was attainable. Thus, Buddha resolved to follow the example of the ascetic and pursue a path of enlightenment.
Siddhartha was deeply affected by the suffering he saw and decided to leave his luxurious palace to seek understanding. He spent days meditating under a tree, determined to find the root cause of suffering. Eventually, he concluded that desire is the fundamental source of suffering. This principle, central to Buddhism, teaches that all forms of suffering originate from the cravings of the mind.
After reaching enlightenment through meditation, Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, expounded the Four Noble Truths. These truths serve as foundational principles in Buddhism, outlining the nature of suffering, its causes, its cessation, and the path leading to its end. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of the Buddha's teachings, which have since guided countless practitioners on the path to liberation from suffering. The 4 noble Truths are:
- Suffering is a reality
- Desire is the root cause of this suffering
- There is a solution to cease this suffering
- The eight-fold path is the solution to cease suffering.
Buddhists define desire as craving pleasure, material possessions, and immortality—wants that can never be fully satisfied. Pursuing these desires inevitably leads to suffering. Nirvana, the ultimate goal of human existence, is hindered by desires and suffering. Therefore, the path to nirvana involves transcending these cravings and achieving a state of liberation from suffering.
What are the five desires in Buddhism?
Buddha says that humans have five main desires: food, sleep, sex, money, fame. As one grows, these five desires become stronger. Fame in this context means attention.
These five desires are considered obstacles to spiritual development, and practitioners strive to overcome them through mindfulness, meditation, and ethical conduct in order to progress towards enlightenment.
Hinduism on Desire and the story of Rama
Indeed, desires are inherent to human nature, and Hinduism acknowledges their presence as part of life's fabric. In Hindu thought, desires are seen as essential for the preservation and functioning of both individual life and society as a whole. However, Hinduism distinguishes between different types of desires, categorizing them into good desires and bad desires.
The good desires, known as Purusharthas, are considered fundamental goals or pursuits in life. They are fourfold:
- Dharma
- Artha
- Kama
- Moksha
- Dharma: Often regarded as the most important of the Purusharthas, Dharma refers to righteousness, duty, moral order, and ethical conduct. It encompasses living in harmony with cosmic laws and societal norms.
- Artha: Artha translates to wealth, power, or material prosperity. It involves the pursuit of economic well-being, security, and social status through ethical means.
- Kama: Kama denotes desire, pleasure, and sensual enjoyment. It encompasses the pursuit of aesthetic and sensual pleasures within the bounds of Dharma.
In Grihastha ashram, after marriage, pursuing love and continuing the family lineage is allowed. This helps to fulfill the Pitru-Rinn, the debt to our ancestors for bringing us into this world. Pleasure here isn't just about sexual gratification, but also includes enjoying time with friends and family, indulging in good food and clothing, finding joy in intellectual pursuits like reading and achieving recognition, and experiencing spiritual fulfillment through activities like traveling, being in nature, and practicing religious duties such as prayer and service.
Moksha: Moksha, or liberation, is the ultimate goal of Hindu spiritual practice. It involves freeing oneself from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) and attaining union with the divine (moksha).
They are known as the Pursharthas which means the purpose of human being or the object of human pursuit.
Life of Rama
Rama's life in the Ramayana exemplifies the greatness that comes from living a desire-free life guided by Dharma. Despite being given the kingdom of Ayodhya to rule one day, he was ordered into exile in the forest the very next day for 14 years. Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana, describes how Rama remained unchanged, showing no emotion in either situation. What mattered most to him was upholding Dharma, or righteousness, and thus he remained detached from worldly pleasures. When Bharat, Rama's brother, visited him in the forest to persuade him to return and rule Ayodhya, Rama upheld his commitment to Dharma and remained in exile. Even Bharat, who was offered the kingdom in Rama's absence, relinquished it upon Rama's return, demonstrating the power and importance of Dharma in their lives.
Jainism
The term "Jain" originates from "Jina," which means a person who has conquered their worldly desires and attained moksha, or liberation, through self-discipline. A "Jina" is someone who has conquered the self, not by fighting external enemies or resorting to violence, but by overcoming inner obstacles such as desires and ignorance. This liberation from the cycle of birth and death is the ultimate goal in Jainism. The lives of the 24 Tirthankaras serve as evidence that humans can achieve victory over desires, negative karma, and ignorance. Their example shows that it is possible for us, as humans, to conquer our desires and attain liberation.
Vardhaman Mahavir's life was dedicated solely to achieving Moksha, or liberation. He spent his days and nights in uninterrupted meditation, avoiding the company of women and householders to maintain singleness of purpose. He relinquished comforts and dwelled in various austere locations, such as workshops, factories, makeshift shelters, towns, and even burial grounds, caring little for sleep or bodily needs. Despite extreme weather conditions, he remained undeterred, meditating with unwavering focus, regardless of heat or cold. His meditation was marked by profound concentration, devoid of sin or desire, unaffected by sensory distractions. Mahavir spoke sparingly, maintaining a calm demeanor and abstaining from careless actions, exemplifying his aversion to worldly attachments and his unwavering dedication to spiritual pursuit.
Throughout his life, Vardhaman Mahavir faced various tests and challenges, yet he remained steadfast in his commitment to meditation and the ultimate goal of Moksha. One notable incident involved a celestial being named Sangam, who became envious of Mahavir's penance and sought to disrupt it by inflicting him with 20 severe pains. These pains included physical suffering, such as animal bites, emotional anguish, such as the false news of his parents' death, and fleeting temptations, like sexual desires. However, none of these challenges affected Mahavir in the slightest, as his dedication to attaining Moksha remained unwavering, transcending any worldly distractions or obstacles.
This story illustrates Vardhaman Mahavir's practice of aparigraha, or non-attachment and non-possession. When a Brahmin named Devrishi asked Mahavir for money, Mahavir had nothing to give but the cloth covering his body. Without hesitation, Mahavir cut the cloth in half and gave it to the Brahmin, even though it was his only garment. However, realizing the Brahmin's greed, Mahavir did not entertain any further attachment to the cloth. When the Brahmin followed him to obtain the other half of the cloth, Mahavir allowed it to get entangled in a shrub and continued on his path without looking back or attempting to retrieve it. This act exemplifies Mahavir's detachment from material possessions and desires, embodying the principle of aparigraha in his life.
Jainism teaches about the cycle of birth and death, where souls undergo reincarnation until they achieve liberation. According to Jain belief, a soul undergoes 84 Lakh (8.4 million) birth forms before attaining human life, which grants free will. A Jain, or Jina, exercises this free will to practice abstinence from sin and control desires. By steering their life towards liberation from the cycle of birth and death, known as Moksha, Jains aim to transcend worldly attachments and achieve spiritual liberation.
In Jainism, practicing non-violence is essential for avoiding bad karma. Moksha, or liberation, is attainable for those who are completely free from desires and have overcome pride, anger, attachment, and greed. Such individuals are known as Arihants or conquerors. By purifying themselves and destroying accumulated karma at the end of their lives, they achieve salvation and become pure souls known as Siddhas. This process of liberation involves transcending worldly attachments and achieving spiritual purity.
Conclusion
It's fascinating to observe how Indian philosophical schools offer a comprehensive understanding of desires, exploring both their negative and positive aspects. They delve deeply into the objective root cause of suffering, which remains relevant and insightful in modern times. Unlike the common notion of desires being inherently bad, these philosophies approach the topic with empathy and understanding, considering it from a layman's perspective. Moreover, they offer practical solutions for conquering harmful desires while motivating individuals to pursue positive desires for a fulfilling life. India's truth-seeking culture has yielded some of the most introspective insights into the nature of desire, enriching our understanding of human experience.