There is pleasure when an itch is scratched,
But to be without an itch is more pleasurable still;
There are pleasures in worldly desires,
But to be without desires is more pleasurable still.
– Nagarjuna (Ratanvalli)
There is pleasure when an itch is scratched,
But to be without an itch is more pleasurable still;
There are pleasures in worldly desires,
But to be without desires is more pleasurable still.
– Nagarjuna (Ratanvalli)
It’s very difficult to be desireless living in this world. It’s more practical to be contented with few desires.
Practice makes perfect, and it’s worth it because ‘to be without desires is more pleasurable’.
The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas continue to guide beings with pure desires based on compassion. The quote was referring to worldly (not spiritual) desires.
Without the itch one would not appreciate
the pleasure of being without an itch…