Quote:
Originally Posted by TimMason
From this point of view, the admonition to eschew desire as such is wrong-headed. One might argue that the reasonable man or woman should cultivate those impulsions and wants that can be encouraged without causing harm to oneself or to others, and ought to curb those that are harmful.
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I'm not sure anyone is offering and admonition to eschew desire, more like a recommendation not to cling to either the objects of desire nor the desire itself.
Many years ago I remember offering some tea to a very esteemed Buddhist monk. I asked if he would like sugar in it and I he replied that he would, in fact he would like four sugars in it. I looked askance at him obviously somewhat shocked - and a little disappointed - that such an esteemed person should be indulging in the decadent bodily pleasure of drinking sweet tea with such abandon. He just smiled and wondered aloud who was most attached to his tea, him or me, and to whom that attachment was causing suffering.