Buddhism: why do Buddhists avoid attachment?

The principle of non-attachment is essential for understanding and practicing Buddhism, but like many concepts of this religious philosophy, it can confuse and even discourage newcomers.

Such a reaction is common among people, especially in the West, when they begin to explore Buddhism. If this philosophy is supposed to be about joy, they ask, then why does it take so long to say that life is full of suffering (dukkha), that non-attachment is a goal and that recognition of emptiness (shunyata) is a step towards enlightenment?

Buddhism is truly a philosophy of joy. One reason for the confusion among newcomers is the fact that Buddhist concepts have their origin in the Sanskrit language, the words of which are not always easily translated into English. Another is the fact that Westerners' personal frame of reference is very different from that of Eastern cultures.

Points to remember: principle of non-attachment to Buddhism
The four noble truths are the foundation of Buddhism. They were delivered by the Buddha as a way to nirvana, a state of permanent joy.
Although the Noble Truths affirm that life is suffering and that attachment is one of the causes of this suffering, these words are not faithful translations of the original Sanskrit words.
The word dukkha would be better translated by "dissatisfaction" rather than suffering.
There is no exact translation of the word upadana, called attachment. The concept stresses that the desire to attach to things is problematic, not that you have to give up everything that is loved.
Giving up the illusion and ignorance that feeds the need for attachment can help end suffering. This is accomplished by the Noble Eightfold Path.
To understand the concept of non-attachment, you need to understand its place in the general structure of Buddhist philosophy and practice. The basic premises of Buddhism are known as "four noble truths".

The basics of Buddhism
The first noble truth: life is suffering

The Buddha taught that life as we know it today is full of suffering, the English translation closest to the word dukkha. This word has many connotations, including "dissatisfaction", which is perhaps an even better translation than that of "suffering". To say that life suffers in the Buddhist sense means to say that wherever we go, we are followed by a vague feeling that things are not entirely satisfactory, not entirely correct. The recognition of this dissatisfaction is what Buddhists call the first noble truth.

However, it is possible to know the reason for this suffering or discontent and this comes from three sources. First of all, we are unhappy because we don't really understand the true nature of things. This confusion (avidya) is often translated by ignorance and its principle is characteristic of the fact that we are not aware of the interdependence of all things. For example, imagine that there is a "me" or "me" that exists independently and separately from all other phenomena. This is perhaps the main misunderstanding identified by Buddhism and is responsible for the next two reasons for suffering.

The second noble truth: here are the reasons for our suffering
Our reaction to this misunderstanding about our separation into the world leads to attachment / attachment or aversion / hatred. It is important to know that the Sanskrit word of the first concept, upadana, does not have an exact English translation; its literal meaning is "combustible", although it is often translated as "attachment". Similarly, the Sanskrit word for "aversion / hatred", devesha, also does not have an English literal translation. Together, these three problems - ignorance, attachment / attachment and antipathy - are known as Three Poisons and their recognition is the Second Noble Truth.

The third noble truth: it is possible to end suffering
The Buddha also taught that it is possible not to suffer. This is at the heart of Buddhism's good optimism: the recognition that dukkha can be stopped. This is accomplished by abandoning the illusion and ignorance that feed the attachment / attachment and the aversion / hatred that make life so unsatisfactory. The cessation of this suffering has a name quite known to almost everyone: nirvana.

The fourth noble truth: here is the way to end suffering
Finally, the Buddha taught a series of practical rules and methods to move from a condition of ignorance / attachment / dislike (dukkha) to a permanent state of joy / satisfaction (nirvana). Among these methods is the famous Eight Fold Path, a series of practical life recommendations designed to move practitioners along the Nirvana highway.

The principle of non-attachment
Non-attachment is actually an antidote to the attachment / attachment problem described in the Second Noble Truth. If attachment or attachment is a condition for which life is unsatisfactory, it is obvious that non-attachment is a condition conducive to the satisfaction of life, a condition of nirvana.

It is important to note, however, that the Buddhist Council is not about detaching people from your life or experiences, but rather about simply recognizing the non-attachment that is inherent in the beginning. This is an essential difference between Buddhist philosophy and others. While other religions seek to achieve a state of grace through hard work and active repudiation, Buddhism teaches that we are fundamentally happy and that it is simply about giving up and giving up on our erroneous habits. and our preconceptions so that we can experience the essence of Buddahood. in all of us.

When we reject the illusion of having an "ego" that exists separately and independently of other people and phenomena, we suddenly recognize that it is not necessary to detach ourselves because we have always been interconnected with all things. moment.

Zen teacher John Daido Loori says that non-attachment should be understood as a unity with all things:

“From the Buddhist point of view, non-attachment is exactly the opposite of separation. To have attachment you need two things: the element you are attached to and the one that attaches it. - attack, on the other hand, there is unity, there is unity because there is nothing to bind. If you are united with the whole universe, there is nothing outside of you so that the notion of attachment becomes absurd. Who will focus on what? "
Living in non-attachment means that we recognize that there has never been anything to focus on or stick to in the first place. And for those who can truly recognize it, it is truly a state of joy.