Forum Post: Lessons towards a new Earth - Part 1

O! Bhikkhus! Monks who wish to overcome suffering must strictly avoid the two extremes of practice, namely:

1. Sensual indulgence [kaamasukhallikanuyoga]

2. Self-mortification [attakilamathaanuyoga]

3. Indulging in sensual pleasures [kaamasukhallikanuyoga] Sensual indulgence is being enamoured by the pleasures of the five senses (i.e. images, sounds, aromas, tastes and physical contact) - and endless hankering after the pleasures therein, until such hankering becomes a habit. Reliance on such sense pleasures becomes so engrained in one's being that one has no more thought of renunciation or of going forth into the monkhood.

Commentorial Metaphors: Indulgence in sensual pleasures:

1. A pig content to wallow in dung: Indulging in sensual pleasures is rather like a pig, which spends all its life wallowing in the warm mud and dung of its pigsty because it thinks that this is the ultimate happiness. The Buddha also compared the pleasures of the five senses to sewerage, also beloved of pigs. He said that the pleasures of the senses are suitable only for householders and are not suitable for those leading the monastic life.

2. A corpse abandoned to rot in a cemetery: Indulging in sensual pleasures as a state of being is base and unprofitable, comparable to a rotting corpse abandoned in a cemetery.

3. A dog chewing on the bones of a fleshless skeleton: Indulging in the pleasures of the five senses is comparable to a skeleton and the person who indulges in the pleasures of the five senses can be compared to a dog which enjoys chewing at the dry and fleshless bones of that skeleton. The dog feels a few moments satisfaction as the result of its chewing - but the satisfaction is short-lived.

4. Enjoying a dream: The pleasures of the senses can be compared to a dream - again because they are transitory and soon disappear.

5. The red-hot glowing embers of a fire: The pleasures of the senses can also be compared to red-hot glowing embers - and those who indulge in the pleasures of the senses are like someone who has fallen into the flames - if the victim is not burned to death instantly, he will experience nothing but excruciating torture. In just the same way, those drunken with indulgence of their sensual desires will have to continue to endure the excruciating torture of rebirth in the cycle of existence.

6. Eating a poisonous fruit: The pleasures of the five senses can be compared to a poisonous fruit. The hedonist, in his greed eats the fruit and must endure the ensuing pain and upset as the poison takes its effect - and he may die as a consequence.

7. Playing with a sharp weapon: The Lord Buddha compared the pleasures of the five senses as being like a sword, a foil, a spear or a javelin. Anyone who meddles with the pleasures of the five senses, will eventually be tortured or executed by sword, foil, spear or javelin. In the end there is nothing more than suffering. Ultimately, there is not even the slightest benefit from indulging the pleasures of the senses.

8. A child playing with a top: The Buddha also compared the pleasures of the senses to a top (childrens' toy). He said to play with a top is immature: i.e. appropriate only for those who are still thick with defilements. It is only those with immature and sordid lives, who spend their time accruing and indulging in such sensual pleasures.

9. Discarded husks of rice: The Buddha also compared the pleasures of the senses to rice husks which are discarded in troughs as pig offal.

10. A cemetery of rotting corpses: The Buddha also compared the pleasures of the senses to a filthy cemetery filled with rotting corpses which attracts stray dogs, crows and vultures.

11. A latrine: The Buddha also compared the pleasures of the senses to a latrine or a toilet which is soiled with excrement.

12. Excrement or Toilet rinsings: The Buddha also compared the pleasures of the senses to the water that has been used to rinse a toilet or the toilet bowl itself, which is soiled with excrement. He also compared the pleasures of the senses to human faeces which dogs like to spend their time sniffing. Thus, the Lord Buddha taught that indulgence in the pleasures of the senses is shunned by the Noble Ones [ariyapuggala], just like a girl of the untouchable caste [ca.n.dala] would be shunned by a brahmin suitor for her vulgar manners, disposition and speech.

Furthermore, indulgence in sensual pleasures is of absolutely no benefit - on the contrary it attracts only damage and suffering to whoever indulges. Thus it has been compared to:

1. A road through dangerous territory: The Buddha also compared the pleasures of the senses to a road whose route leads us through dangerous country threatened by ogresses [yakkhinii], upon which no traveller can ever escape misfortune and death.