Is There Room for Passion?
Without actually bringing up the recent specific topic *again* I have to say, we seem to be a passionate bunch with regard to certain views and opinions.
One of the Bodhisattva vows reads along the lines of: However inexhaustible passions/delusions may be; I vow to transform them all.
(This vow will have variations on the theme according to translator.)
The question(s) then becomes: is there room for passion in Buddhism? Can one be a spiritually passionate being? What does spiritual passion look like and how does it differ from the passion of samsara?
OK...now here's the challenge, should y'all choose to accept it: answer in three paragraphs or less. :D
In Gassho~
*Lynn
is there room for passion
Hello Lynn
yes,
yes,
like a well aged compost pile
rather than a not-so-well aged compost pile.
note: it's compassion (composted passion--passion which has aged and mellowed)
(Do we get partial credit for incomplete thoughts?)
keishiin
Re: Is There Room for Passion?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lynn
The question(s) then becomes: is there room for passion in Buddhism? Can one be a spiritually passionate being? What does spiritual passion look like and how does it differ from the passion of samsara?
Onery? I'm not the one changing the rules in the middle of the game. :-P
First I should preface my take on the questions with the statement that in my opinion these bodhisattva vows, like a lot of things in Buddhism are not meant to be taken literally. Instead like the Precepts they help to formulate an intent behind the things we do.
(-note this does not count toward the three paragraph limit)
Yes there is plenty of room for passion in the Way and one can be a spiritually passionate being. The passions/delusions we seek to eliminate can be boiled down to greed, ignorance, and hatred. These poisonous memes can take myriad forms.
Our practice of the Way encourages us to be passionate about life. To enjoy that sweet strawberry as we plummet toward the jaws of oblivion. We should be passionate about being happy in our own lives as we should about creating the environment where happiness can thrive for others now and in the future.
This passion takes as many forms as there are people who realize this. It is not separate from "Samsara", just like you are not truly separate from me.