Materialism leads to 3 different kinds of suffering:
First when we see what other people have and we don’t, we suffer.
Then when we try to get it and cannot, we suffer.
At last, when we come to know that we won’t be able to get it , we suffer.
The real problem is our expectations, not the material things themselves.
Materialism is the attachment; the idea that happiness is found outside.
“Naropa my son, it is not appearances that cause our suffering, it is our attachment to appearances.” … Tilopa
Aw, Tilopa and Naropa:) how about after we get the thing we want and we realize it’s not as much fun or fulfilling as we thought? I remember that feeling often as a child regarding toys that I saw on t.v.
And when we get what we wanted we suffer for fear of loosing it.
Sweet distiction
yes! such attachment made us all the times in sufferring. no mater what we have at the end, we should have the worry and paintis before we get or loss. we repeat it on and on until the time we gain the expectation. hoping anyone included me can come out the expectation and attactment!
and the suffering of having and then fear of loosing, having to protect and the loosing of that object are additional sufferings of having
then there is the suffering of having things you don’t want,
Also, Rinpoche, we suffer when we get what we want, and realize it doesn’t bring happiness, n’est ce pas? Thanks for passing along the wisdom.
And there is a possible #4 on the list :
If we do manage to get the desired object, we find that it does not work to end our suffering, as we imagined it would. The new becomes old.
Re: “The new becomes old.” What is it that changed?
All compounded phenomena are constantly changing. So the answer to your question is ” Everything changes.”
However, the law as expounded by Buddha that says we suffer if we cling to the notion of ourselves and objects as being permanent, does not change.
So the answer could also be ” Nothing changes”.
Tão precioso que nosso mestre muito amado
continue nos relembrando o Dharma !
Agradecida !
Conte sempre com meu carinho e gratidão .
I think suffering arises when people do not realise who they really are. When we are unaware of our divine nature within us and do not know the abundance of wealth and treasure we already possess within us, we suffer needlessly. In that sense, it is true that materialism leads to suffering because it is based on the idea that happiness is found outside.
Enlightenment comes when we awaken to our true identity and origin, knowing we are one with the Universe and one with one another, lacking no good thing and abundantly supplied in every way.
Thanks for sharing.
Namaste,
Jimmy
The day people realise that true happiness comes from within. The world would be a better place. No need for materialistic items. They can be replaced. We can’t. We are priceless!
One of my favorites that I heard years ago and use as a mantra “expectation is the mother of disappointment”.