Desires (bonno)

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Worldly desires, illusions, delusions (bonno)

***** Location: Japan, Buddhist Communities
***** Season: Non-seasonal Topic
***** Category: Humanity

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Explanation

The three "bonno　 煩悩　" are called
tonjinchi 貪瞋癡（とんじんち）

貪　＝　むさぼり, greed
瞋　＝　いかり, anger
癡　＝　おろかさ, stupidity


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Quote : Bonno:
A function of the mind that brings trouble, passion, illusion.
Deshimaru states, "Desires are natural; they become bonno when there is attachment" .

In the West, desires are treated, for the most part, differently. They are judged good or bad simply depending on the object of desire. Obsession or attachment to spiritual disciplines, for example, is "good," whereas natural, "fleshly" desire, for example, are generally thought of as "bad" or at least, problematic.

I don't think that we can blame Judeo-Christian morality for this; it seems to be rather, a religious misunderstanding or deterioration of Judeo-Christian thought.

But in the East, it is not the object of desire that is at issue (nor are desires so much a matter of morality); the issue is, rather, that a clinging mind is living in illusion, and is troubled by those illusions. A mind full of attachments can never be at peace. Indeed, enlightenment is the complete letting go of all such illusions.

Buddhism deals extensively with the letting go of desires (attachments) as essential to freeing the mind and seeing reality as it is. Buddhism migrated to China and discovered the same insight among China's Taoists. You will find the combined insights throughout the resultant Zen (Ch'an)Buddhism. The Tao Te Ching speaks of the sage as one who dwells in reality by letting all illusions go. A few passages from Stephen Mitchell's translation are instructive.

Free from desire, you realize the mystery. Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.
Tao Te Ching -1

Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner.
Tao Te Ching -9

Thoughts weaken the mind. Desires wither the heart. The Master observes the world but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. His heart is open as the sky.
Tao Te Ching -12

If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
Tao Te Ching -44

http://www.yakrider.com/Buddha/Zen/zen_terms.htm

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bonno,bonnoo, bonnō, bonnou 煩悩
Sanskrit "klesha"

During the New Year ceremonies, a temple bell is rung 108 times (hyakuhachi　百八), one for each of the worldly desires and defilements. Listening to the bell purifies the mind, at least for a while....




BONNOH : Woodbock by A. Murata
http://www.alps.or.jp/match/gallery/kikaku12/

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Hyaku Hachi No Bonno: 108 Defilements

© By Charles C. Goodin

According to Heshiki, it is an Asian predilection to embody profound concepts, such as The 108 Defilements, in ordinary things. Profound inner meanings are captured in mundane, outer forms. To the casual sojourner, the steps leading up to a Buddhist temple are a mere convenience-- they simply are there.

But after several visits, a more inquisitive person might ask, "Why do these 108 steps lead up to the shrine? Why not put the shrine closer to the road, a little lower on the hill? Why have any steps at all?"

The occurrences of 108 steps leading to Buddhist temples are common.

Thirty-six types of defilements are found in the realm of desire.

Please read the full article in the library.


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Worldwide use

India

klesa

truth lies:
shrouded in maya
truth lies

1st lies means - untruth
2nd lies means - it remains or stays

Maya- this illusionary world and delusions are created by Maya.

Gabi,

You've indeed touched a vulnerable chord here!!!
Indians are famous for mouthing philosophical truths - for good or bad![ smiling!]

Here's one haiku below:
Which implies that human beings are known to think that they've changed for the better - but unknowingly their ego remains intact - making them more rigid and more egotistical in their approach to life.

the monkey
monkey faced with monkey acts-
the year passes

Kala Ramesh, WHCindia


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Things found on the way

The famous translator of Buddhist texts, Kumarajiva, first used these Chinese characters to express "bonno" and added the sentence:

bonnoo, kore doojoo 煩悩是道場



The Every-Day Distractions itself are the true Place of Religious Practise.

Gabi Greve: Kumarajiva, 鳩摩羅什 (くまらじゅ) The Translator.

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Bonno soku bodai-- literally,
"Earthly desires are enlightenment"-- is a key tenet of Nichiren Buddhism.

The deeply ingrained tendencies of attachments and desire (in Japanese bonno) are often referred to by the English translation "earthly desires." However, since they also include hatred, arrogance, distrust and fear, the translation "deluded impulses" may in some cases be more appropriate.

But can such desires and attachments really be eliminated?

The elimination of all desire is neither possible nor, in fact, desirable. Were we to completely rid ourselves of desire, we would end up undermining our individual and collective will to live.

Read the essay here:
http://www.sgi.org/english/Buddhism/more/more09.htm

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Fudo Myo-O slaying the Monster Cat

Bonno and Human Foibles


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HAIKU

煩悩は百八減って今朝の春
bonnoo wa hyakuhachi hette kesa no haru

the worldly desires,
all one hundred and eight are gone -
this spring morning
(Tr. Gabi Greve)

夏目漱石　Natsume Soseki

除夜の鐘は煩悩を追い払うために撞く。煩悩の数は百八と言われている。その計算式はあるが、長くなるので避ける。禅宗の経典に由来している。｢今朝の春｣は元日の朝だから、すっかり煩悩を追い出しきって、すがすがしい気持で元旦を迎えられたことだろう。ただ煩悩は次々に我々を襲ってくるので、｢今朝の春｣の一瞬だけが煩悩に苛まれないですむ時かもしれない
http://home.att.ne.jp/blue/atelier/Fukuyama-san/Haiku-souseki-1.html

kesa no haru, refers to the first morning of the New Year.

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除夜の鐘に出でし煩悩百八つ　　
joya no kane ni ideshi bonnoo hyaku yatsu

with the New Year's bell
they are all gone,
one hundred and eight delusions
(Tr. Gabi Greve)

白石美加 Hakuishi Mika

煩悩の数が百八でその数だけ除夜の鐘を撞くというので自分は煩悩が百八以上あるんだ。と威張っています。そうです、煩悩のない人間は生きててもつまらないですね、しかし、百八は多すぎるようですよ
http://blog.mag2.com/m/log/0000008323

joya no kane, the bell at the New Year ceremonies.

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煩悩は 滅しがたしや 除夜詣
bonnoo wa messhigatashi ya joya moode

the worldly desires
are so hard to get rid off -
first temple visit at midnight
Tr. Gabi Greve

俳子　Haiko
Suzurandai Haiku Meeting
http://www.all-suzurandai.com/haiku/back-1.html

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藤切りや　我が煩悩も　切り去りぬ
fujikiri ya waga bonnoo mo kirisarinu

Wisteria Cutting !
all my delusions are
cut and gone

Gabi Greve, 2006: Wisteria Cutting Ceremony

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Seeking life's truth through
images of sense in sleep:
a tangle of dreams

R.K.SINGH, India


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chewing takuan -
108 times
108 desires　

Gabi Greve


. Takuan 沢庵 pickled radishes . 　


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Related words

***** Wisteria Cutting Ceremony (Fuji Kiri Eshiki)　Japan

***** New Year Kigo

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