since the professor is so unorganized.... I did my text reading and reflection only to find out there is specific chapters I have to sick to. I however like my reflection so I will post it here.
Quote: “Let a man be free from pleasures and let a man be free from pain; for not to have pleasure is sorrow and to have pain is also sorrow.” - Dhammapada 210
Chapter 16 “Transient Pleasures” pretty much shares the sentiment of the quote above, repeating it 8 different times with slight variation before closing the chapter on the importance of dharma. This is the point where I struggle with Buddhism. Buddhism’s goal is to break the cycle of rebirth by releasing attachment and letting go of sorrow thus allowing them to be one with Nirvana (to make the vaguest summary).
My religious faith is all about honoring cycles - including the cycle of death and rebirth, or in this case, joy and sorrow. I believe that every sorrow has a purpose, a lesson. I do not mean this in the cliche “don’t be so sad, this serves a purpose” but in a “if you want to know why this happened, there is a reason.” Sometimes that lesson is to be reminded that you can survive hardship. Sometimes that lesson is to learn the depth of suffering, for it is only by comparison that we appreciate true joy. The dark only makes the light shine brighter.
There is also a natural cycle to life, after every winter there is a spring. My favorite holiday, Imbolc, is actually the harbinger of spring. A reminder that the harsh and cruel winter (death) will come to an end and spring with its warmth and fertility (rebirth) is on the horizon. Buddhism seems to ignore or view this cycle as bad, whereas I see the goal of never suffering to be sort of childish (I do not mean that in a harsh way) and unnatural.
I often turn to Buddhism’s mindfulness and reminder that “all things are temporary, even joy, even pain” as a coping mechanism for not giving in to sorrow, but I cannot wrap my head around wanting a life completely devoid of it.
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