Difference between revisions of "Pleasure"
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[[File:Pleasure.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Pleasure.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | Pleasure (kāma or sāmisa sukha) is a positive feeling caused by having the senses or the mind stimulated. Pleasure is a life-enhancing experience but when it becomes a preoccupation, is thought of as the most important thing in life or even the goal of life, it can be very destructive. There are at least three ways this can happen: | + | Pleasure ([[kāma]] or [[sāmisa sukha]]) is a positive [[feeling]] [[caused]] by having the [[senses]] or the [[mind]] stimulated. [[Pleasure]] is a life-enhancing [[experience]] but when it becomes a preoccupation, is [[thought]] of as the most important thing in [[life]] or even the goal of [[life]], it can be very destructive. There are at least three ways this can happen: |
| − | (1) The nature of the sense organs is such that prolonged stimulation makes them dull, and then to get the same level of pleasure, the stimulation has to be intensified. Thus one can become involved in a continual round of pleasure-seeking leading to dissatisfaction, and requiring more intense stimulation. The Buddha put it like this: ‘Even if a whole mountain were made of gold, not double that would be enough to satisfy one person. Know this and live accordingly.’ (S.I,117). | + | (1) The nature of the [[sense organs]] is such that prolonged stimulation makes them dull, and then to get the same level of [[pleasure]], the stimulation has to be intensified. Thus one can become involved in a continual round of pleasure-seeking leading to [[dissatisfaction]], and requiring more intense stimulation. The [[Buddha]] put it like this: ‘Even if a whole mountain were made of {{Wiki|gold}}, not double that would be enough to satisfy one [[person]]. Know this and [[live]] accordingly.’ (S.I,117). |
| − | (2) The strong desire for pleasure can make one see persons and objects, not as things in themselves, but only as means for one’s own gratification. This can make one extremely selfish and manipulative. The Buddha said: ‘With sense pleasures as the cause, source and basis, people fight with each other, go to war, break into houses, plunder, burgle, commit highway robbery, seduce women and are punished for it.’ (condensed, M.I,86-7). | + | (2) The strong [[desire]] for [[pleasure]] can make one see persons and [[objects]], not as things in themselves, but only as means for one’s own gratification. This can make one extremely [[selfish]] and manipulative. The [[Buddha]] said: ‘With [[sense]] [[pleasures]] as the [[cause]], source and basis, [[people]] fight with each other, go to [[war]], break into houses, plunder, burgle, commit highway robbery, seduce women and are punished for it.’ (condensed, M.I,86-7). |
| − | (3) Sensual pleasures have a powerful impact on the mind, reverberating in consciousness as sensual images, fantasies and thoughts, and causing longing, agitation and dissatisfaction. This can be very unhelpful if one is trying to calm and clarify the mind. For these reasons, the Buddha advocated a careful but realistic attitude towards pleasure. He advised us to ‘see the satisfaction in sense pleasures, the danger of them and the escape from them’ (M.I,85), and to develop a healthy mean between sensual indulgence and extreme asceticism (S.V,42). The Buddha also encouraged us to see that there is a higher and more refined pleasure than that produced by the stimulation of the senses. He said: ‘If a person were to say, “This is the highest pleasure and happiness beings can experience,” I would disagree with them.’ (M.I,398). He then proceeded to describe the joy and happiness one can experience through the peace and stillness of meditation. | + | (3) Sensual [[pleasures]] have a powerful impact on the [[mind]], reverberating in [[consciousness]] as sensual images, fantasies and [[thoughts]], and causing longing, [[agitation]] and [[dissatisfaction]]. This can be very unhelpful if one is trying to [[calm]] and clarify the [[mind]]. For these [[reasons]], the [[Buddha]] advocated a careful but realistic [[attitude]] towards [[pleasure]]. He advised us to ‘see the [[satisfaction]] in [[sense]] [[pleasures]], the [[danger]] of them and the escape from them’ (M.I,85), and to develop a healthy mean between sensual {{Wiki|indulgence}} and extreme {{Wiki|asceticism}} (S.V,42). The [[Buddha]] also encouraged us to see that there is a higher and more refined [[pleasure]] than that produced by the stimulation of the [[senses]]. He said: ‘If a [[person]] were to say, “This is the [[highest]] [[pleasure]] and [[happiness]] [[beings]] can [[experience]],” I would disagree with them.’ (M.I,398). He then proceeded to describe the [[joy]] and [[happiness]] one can [[experience]] through the [[peace]] and stillness of meditation. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=313 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=313 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Pleasure]] | [[Category:Pleasure]] | ||
Revision as of 12:13, 7 September 2013
Pleasure (kāma or sāmisa sukha) is a positive feeling caused by having the senses or the mind stimulated. Pleasure is a life-enhancing experience but when it becomes a preoccupation, is thought of as the most important thing in life or even the goal of life, it can be very destructive. There are at least three ways this can happen:
(1) The nature of the sense organs is such that prolonged stimulation makes them dull, and then to get the same level of pleasure, the stimulation has to be intensified. Thus one can become involved in a continual round of pleasure-seeking leading to dissatisfaction, and requiring more intense stimulation. The Buddha put it like this: ‘Even if a whole mountain were made of gold, not double that would be enough to satisfy one person. Know this and live accordingly.’ (S.I,117).
(2) The strong desire for pleasure can make one see persons and objects, not as things in themselves, but only as means for one’s own gratification. This can make one extremely selfish and manipulative. The Buddha said: ‘With sense pleasures as the cause, source and basis, people fight with each other, go to war, break into houses, plunder, burgle, commit highway robbery, seduce women and are punished for it.’ (condensed, M.I,86-7).
(3) Sensual pleasures have a powerful impact on the mind, reverberating in consciousness as sensual images, fantasies and thoughts, and causing longing, agitation and dissatisfaction. This can be very unhelpful if one is trying to calm and clarify the mind. For these reasons, the Buddha advocated a careful but realistic attitude towards pleasure. He advised us to ‘see the satisfaction in sense pleasures, the danger of them and the escape from them’ (M.I,85), and to develop a healthy mean between sensual indulgence and extreme asceticism (S.V,42). The Buddha also encouraged us to see that there is a higher and more refined pleasure than that produced by the stimulation of the senses. He said: ‘If a person were to say, “This is the highest pleasure and happiness beings can experience,” I would disagree with them.’ (M.I,398). He then proceeded to describe the joy and happiness one can experience through the peace and stillness of meditation.
