Dhamma Talks - Non Attachment :: Buddhapadipa Thai Temple

Attachment is an emotion that causes human beings to suffer. The first thing we should do is learn to understand it. Once we have the right understanding, we can then avoid it or even, being able to let it go. This can be illustrated by the following story;

A man was travelling to visit his relatives who lived in another village. Along the way he saw an eagle with a piece of meat in its beak that was being attacked by other eagles. When it dropped the piece of meat, it was free from danger. He realised that if any eagles had picked up the piece of meat, it would in turn be attacked by the others eagles, just like the first one. The only eagle that would be safe from harm would be the one which didnt have it. He grew wise to the fact that the piece of meat was the cause of danger for the bird.

He began to contemplate on the idea and compared the meat to sensual pleasures. Those who had grasped it would suffer, only once they let it go could they be happy again, just like the eagle without the meat.

Further on in his journey, he came upon a monk, who was meditating under a tree, with rapture. He approached the monk and asked him how he managed to look so happy. The monk replied, I am happy because I have peace of mind, which sprang from meditation. The monk explained further, Through Meditation, we can learn about our mind and body and how they are affected to those external factors around us. What is the benefit of knowing such things? the man asked. The monk answered, To understand the way things are is the benefit. It isnt the happiness, is it? the man asked. The monk said, No, it is not, the happiness is just the result of realizing the way things are. The man then understood and asked to be ordained. After his ordination, the man studied under the monk and remained with him.


The story illustrates that it is not necessary for us to put ourselves in the pit of suffering to be able to understand it. We can learn about it through observing the environment and all other things which is around us. Just like when the man saw the eagle. Once we have understood it, we should put it into action, use it in our daily lives so that we can get the full benefit of what we have learnt and practiced.