Buddha taught that no chains are as powerful as attachment, and nothing bonds us to suffering like our attachment. In the First Noble Truth, Buddha didn't just say, "Life is pervaded by suffering," but defined suffering:
In short, the five clinging-aggregates are dukkha (suffering).
"And what is the cause by which dukkha (suffering) comes into play? Craving is the cause by which dukkha comes into play.
The five aggregates are what make up everything, including our self: physical form, feelings, perceptions, mental fabrications, and consciousness. But the aggregates aren't the problem. It's everything in us that is clinging. In particular, pain and problems are caused by craving that leads us to be attached to something; whether we are attached to gems, children, our expectations, opinions, or money. Craving is an action; because it's an action, we can stop craving. If we can stop craving, we can stop suffering. Craving is the inappropriate attention we give to the object we want by dwelling on its desirable qualities. At first, we just encounter a desirable object or situation we want. But it is inappropriate attention---the thinking-dwelling-craving-- that eventually causes attachment to arise. Feed it long enough, and attachment will arise and bind us to what we want so tightly that we can't be satisfied without it. When we don't get what we're attached to, suffering follows like the shadow of a body.
So what can we feed our minds instead when we very much want something? We can feed it non-attachment. We can let go. Let go of others' opinions of us…let go of how others behave…let go of ideas about how an experience would be…let go of expectations of others…let go of needing a particular thing…let go of a person that isn't healthy for us. Practicing non-attachment in this way helps us let go of disappointment, dissatisfaction, and toxic situations. And wouldn't that be wonderful?
The wise do not say that bonds made of iron, of wood, and of hemp are strong bonds;
they say that only passionate attachment to and care for gems and jewelry, children and wives are strong bonds.
These drag one down (to lower planes of existence) and although they seem yielding are difficult to unfasten.
The wise, cutting off this bond (of craving) and resolutely giving up sensual pleasures, renounce the world. Verses 345 & 346:
—Buddha, The Dhammapada
References and Links
AccessToInsight.org. The First Noble Truth.
Buddha.The Dhammapada. Translated by Gil Fronsdale. (Kindle). Shambala, Boston and London, 2011. (Link)
Buddha (1986).The Dhammapada: Verses and Stories. Translated by Daw Mya Tin, M.A. (Website). Edited by Editorial Committee, Burma Tipitaka Association Rangoon. Courtesy of Nibbana.com. For free distribution only, as a gift of dhamma.
https://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.php?verse=345
Thanisarro Bhikku. The Clinging to End all Clinging. Tricycle Magazine, https://tricycle.org/article/end-clinging/
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