enjoying nature

A discussion on all aspects of Theravāda Buddhism
Cassandra
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Re: enjoying nature

Post by Cassandra »

LonesomeYogurt wrote:
tiltbillings wrote:Who says you should not like something?
The Buddha.
He who, having cast off likes and dislikes, has become tranquil, is rid of the substrata of existence and like a hero has conquered all the worlds — him do I call a holy man.
It's the Dhammapada. Another translation says "having given up pleasure and discontent".
The pali ratim means "attachment to the 5 sense pleasures" rather than likes/dislikes.
Hitva ratim ca aratim ca

who has given up taking delight (in sensual pleasures) and not taking delight (in solitude)
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JeffR
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Re: enjoying nature

Post by JeffR »

befriend wrote:how do we enjoy the sights of nature without liking coming up?
Sounds like you're being troubled with aversion to "liking". Just be mindful of the Sukka and how it arises.
Therein what are 'six (types of) disrespect'? One dwells without respect, without deference for the Teacher; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Teaching; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Order; one dwells without respect, without deference for the precepts; one dwells without respect, without deference for heedfulness; one dwells without respect, without deference for hospitality. These are six (types of) disrespect.
:Vibh 945
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Kim OHara
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Re: enjoying nature

Post by Kim OHara »

Hi, everyone,
This discussion is beginning to look like one that needs real care with words and their translations: liking/disliking vs attachment/aversion/equanimity vs appreciation/enjoyment; etc.
I like (agree with :tongue: ) what Cooran posted above, especially the bits I have highlighted here:
cooran wrote: The Buddhist Attitude Towards Nature by Lily de Silva

Nature as Beautiful

The Buddha and his disciples regarded natural beauty as a source of great joy and aesthetic satisfaction. The saints who purged themselves of sensuous worldly pleasures responded to natural beauty with a detached sense of appreciation. The average poet looks at nature and derives inspiration mostly by the sentiments it evokes in his own heart; he becomes emotionally involved with nature.
For instance, he may compare the sun's rays passing over the mountain tops to the blush on a sensitive face, he may see a tear in a dew drop, the lips of his beloved in a rose petal, etc. But the appreciation of the saint is quite different. He appreciates nature's beauty for its own sake and derives joy unsullied by sensuous associations and self-projected ideas. The simple spontaneous appreciation of nature's exquisite beauty is expressed by the Elder Mahakassapa...

Again the poem of Kaludayi, inviting the Buddha to visit Kapilavatthu, contains a beautiful description of spring:[61]
Now crimson glow the trees, dear Lord, and cast
Their ancient foliage in quest of fruit,
Like crests of flame they shine irradiant
And rich in hope, great Hero, is the hour.
...
The long poem of Talaputa is a fascinating soliloquy.[62] His religious aspirations are beautifully blended with a profound knowledge of the teachings of the Buddha against the background of a sylvan resort. Many more poems could be cited for saintly appreciation of nature, but it is not necessary to burden the essay with any more quotations. Suffice it to know that the saints, too, were sensitive to the beauties and harmony of nature and that their appreciation is colored by spontaneity, simplicity, and a non-sensuous spirituality.
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/auth ... itude.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I will have to look up 'The long poem of Talaputa' - it sounds like my kind of thing.

In my understanding, attachment or clinging, not enjoyment per se, is the problem. If we can enjoy something but happily let it go when it ceases or when we move on, it won't entail suffering. Rather, it will make us happier people and therefore more likely to be nice to ourselves and to others.
As Tilt said, it's a balancing act.

:namaste:
Kim
rowyourboat
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Re: enjoying nature

Post by rowyourboat »

By seeing the drawbacks of pleasant sensation (sukha vedana) we eventually let go of the mind's tendency to give rise to craving for pleasant sensation. Craving is the cause of suffering and ignorance about the true nature (no pun intended) of pleasant sensations give rise to craving- so we must understand and explore this phenomena and eventually abandon (pahana) it. Delight (nandi) is another defilement to be abandoned. However the arahanths cannot abandon pleasant sensation as it is part of the five aggregates which stay with them until death. So they continue to experience pleasant sensations. They are said to go into jhana for 'pleasant abiding' or do right contemplation (yonisomanasikara) for the same reasons. When there is no fear of craving arising again they can enjoy this as much as they want. The Buddha speaking of monks says that for non-returners and arahanths there is no danger in it for them to eat good tasting food, referring to them having removed all sensual craving.

With metta
With Metta

Karuna
Mudita
& Upekkha
xtracorrupt
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Re: enjoying nature

Post by xtracorrupt »

do not judge nature, appreciate it
theres is no need for needing
befriend
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Re: enjoying nature

Post by befriend »

JeffR wrote:
befriend wrote:how do we enjoy the sights of nature without liking coming up?
Sounds like you're being troubled with aversion to "liking". Just be mindful of the Sukka and how it arises.
you cant have aversion to liking, thats like saying you have an aversion towards hate or an aversion to an alligator bite.
Take care of mindfulness and mindfulness will take care of you.
SamKR
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Re: enjoying nature

Post by SamKR »

befriend wrote:how do we enjoy the sights of nature without liking coming up?
Renounce and enjoy.
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JeffR
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Re: enjoying nature

Post by JeffR »

befriend wrote:
JeffR wrote:
befriend wrote:how do we enjoy the sights of nature without liking coming up?
Sounds like you're being troubled with aversion to "liking". Just be mindful of the Sukka and how it arises.
you cant have aversion to liking, thats like saying you have an aversion towards hate or an aversion to an alligator bite.
Agree with the second half. I DO have an aversion towards hate.
Therein what are 'six (types of) disrespect'? One dwells without respect, without deference for the Teacher; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Teaching; one dwells without respect, without deference for the Order; one dwells without respect, without deference for the precepts; one dwells without respect, without deference for heedfulness; one dwells without respect, without deference for hospitality. These are six (types of) disrespect.
:Vibh 945
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