Isn't wanting to get rid of desire a desire itself in Buddhism?
485945
Yes, but eastern philosophies are abound in contradictions and paradoxes, they love them infact.\n\nThis is the same thing as doing a good deed because you want to be seen as good.  It is just false.  As long as you hold onto the concept of wanting to be 'rid of desire' you will never be rid of desire.  This is an established 'doctrine' in buddhism and taoism, and nothing new i'm afraid.\n\nHaving a desire to be rid of desires can be used up until you have no more desires left, then you can rid yourself of this last one by dissolving the concept of self, and doing only what is natural, what tao would do.\n\nThey say you have to unlearn to become enlightened, but you can't do this without being learned first!  That's the bit they usually miss out.\n\nThey had more time on their hands than you :)
937621
Not really.\n\nMost religions use an external belief in a 'God' or 'Jesus' to develop love and morality in their minds.\n\nBuddhists believe it is up to the individual to develop these traits. That's why Buddhism is sometimes called 'mind training' or a philosophy and not a religion.
1141990
The buddhist concept is basically attaining Nirvana. Which means that one does not cling on to any material (sentinels) wants. Once, they are released, they will reach Nirvana or attain Samsara. \n\nBut, letting go is a totally different thing all together - e.g. i will forgo food, as i am too angry to eat. you are fasting but feeding your emotions. This is where reincarnation comes in, but then that's another answers. \n\nAmitaba!
558162
This one is my personal favorite, "People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar." -Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk and poet \n\nIt reminds me not to get stuck in the every day frustrations and try something new, that just because it's comfortable doesn't mean it's healthy or the best thing for me.  :o)
950981
I partially agree with that opening statement about sex not being the problem. If sex is motivated purely by lust with no feeling or intimacy then lust becomes the problematic instigator and sex is the resulting perversion of the mind and body. Lust is the real problem, not so much the sex.
203315
No.\nHeaven is supposed to be the eternal paradise reward for a life well lived. It's meant to be the eternal harbor of joy for the soul. If there's nothing to do but enjoy divine grace, why would you need free will? Free will is for deciding when faced with choices, and deciding often leads to conflicts (internal as they may be). This leads to affiliation, taking sides, which leads to individualistic tendencies and result in social separation.
1053884
It all goes back to the old and oh so true saying. You always want what you can't have. I think on some level that we tend to go after what we cannot have. Even if at the surface we think we can have it, we know deep inside that we cannot. But that is usually for the best. In most cases, when you finally get what you want that you cannot have, it turns out you don't really want it, people included.
989064
there is so much that one could wish for. however, would you want to  use it selfishly as in you wish to be famous? or would you use it universally, for the good of all humanity? there is no right wish. for all wishes have a conciquence. as in a cause and effect. to truly be happy of a wish you made you have to realy think about it first. most of the answers above were probably not thought out as well as they should've been. in my opinion, it's nearly impossible to wish only one wish correctly. even though you could wish for more wishes. i doubt you would think twice before wishing and loosing your last chance to make things the way they were. so i think i would probably wish for nothing. as in not making a wish at all until i have thought out the cause and effects.
666773
The Buddha is not considered a god, and Buddhists do not pray to him or his image for favors.  Instead, they meditate on how they can attain peace, love, and compassion within themselves.  Buddhism has five major precepts, and Buddhists strive to follow these precepts.  \nThey are:  \n1.Not to kill anything living   \n2.Not to steal or take anything not freely given \n3.To abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence \n4.Not to lie \n5.To avoid the use of alcohol and drugs which cloud the mind and impair thought
1144755
You are basing your wants on human desires and not on spiritual desires. If it is just human desires that you want, joy, happiness, etc. think about the best times in your life, and multiply that hundreds and hundreds of times. The joy and love you will feel in heaven will be liken to this. Now think about the alternative...
159830
Yes it decreases desire and performance.
671282
It's human nature to want what we can't have & reject what is readily available...may go back to our hunting instincts & our "conquest" nature.  To conquer is  to overtake that which isn't readily available & usually it turns out to be completely unavailable....we never learn.  ho-hum.
134062
Lust is looking to gratify yourself.  Love is sacrifice.
56260
In short, buddhism is scary! The aim and object of buddhism is to eternally destroy your own existence by becoming nothing. They dont beleive in God so it is actually covered athiesm. Very dangerous. It looks like religion from the outside because they practice renounciation and they beleive in karma etc. but really it is only another form of athiesm.
329188
no it is not. it is never forbidden in the scriptures. it is never even dealt with for that matter. Using the principle that 'whatever is not forbidden in permissible', would lead one to conclude it is not sin in and of itself.\n\nso what is it?\n\nIt can be selfish - if it keeps you from your spouse\nIt can be addictive - if guilt and fantasy get the better of you.\nIt can be a wonderful - way to relive tension and anxiety as a creature made to enjoy pleasure.\n\nthe way of wisdom is 'All good things in moderation'
1154137
When you WANT something, you wish you can have it, but you can live without it.\nWhen you NEED something, you HAVE to have it, it's essential. And you can't live without it.
59725
No...you're human.  Sticking to a commitment is very honorable, but fantasies are just that...fantasies.  Acting on those fantasies would be wrong, but having them is a part of the human psyche.