As I understand it, the Buddha taught that all suffering comes from desire, and the lack of obtaining the objects of that desire. Thus, if one can eliminate desire, one can thereby eliminate suffering.
But I wonder, how does a Buddhist deal with things like accidents and natural disasters? If one is accidentally hit by a car, one suffers, but how can that suffering be cause by desire? Please enlighten me. I want to know.
No human can not have desire. Even if they say they don't have it, believe me, everyone has it. It may be called by another name but it is still desire. Don't believe the hype. Their are weak and strong desires.
Liumingke I can agree, but what I am asking is, which desire "caused" a car to acciedntally hit someone, or lightning to strike them?
accident caused by desire of one or other party to get somewhere faster. or desire to cross the road. another dumb answer to another dumb mm question.
No desire caused it. Time and place caused it. Wrong time and wrong place. Ha..ha.
Dazzer and Liu, that is my point: if all suffering is caused by desire, I just described a suffering that is not caused by desire. So how would Buddhism deal with that? Surely you understand what I am asking?
yeah, i understand what you're asking.
i think it was the buddha who also said "don't believe anything just because it is written in some holy book" (loosely translated).
how would YOU deal with that? if you don't think desire causes car accidents, then what does?
Magnifico, I believe that accidents are just that — accidental and unfortunate, but not caused by desire. But what I am asking, is how Buddhism would answer that. Does anyone know?
While one may have mostly conquered their desires and achieved personal peace - one must still live immersed in a world where others are desire driven - so while idealistic - not particularly realistic - which is why buddhists, deists, etc lock themselves away in isolated retreat - escape from the world, but the world always seems to have a way of finding you....
laotou, true. So, would Buddhism then say that simply "most" suffering is caused by desire?
