The Puzzle of Buddhist Non-Attachment: A Challenge for Laypersons

This article explores the challenges associated with practicing Buddhist non-attachment as a layperson and whether its application in everyday life represents a puzzle. In Buddhism, practicing non-attachment implies becoming free of desires, as prescribed by Mahāyāna Buddhist philosophy in pursuit o...

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Main Author: Joyitri Sarkar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Philosophies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/10/3/60
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author Joyitri Sarkar
author_facet Joyitri Sarkar
author_sort Joyitri Sarkar
collection DOAJ
description This article explores the challenges associated with practicing Buddhist non-attachment as a layperson and whether its application in everyday life represents a puzzle. In Buddhism, practicing non-attachment implies becoming free of desires, as prescribed by Mahāyāna Buddhist philosophy in pursuit of liberation. This raises a critical challenge to form and maintain friendships in this increasingly competitive and demanding environment. To thrive, one must pursue beneficial goals to ensure a meaningful existence. A layperson, therefore, cannot entirely detach from their goals and aspirations without potentially abandoning the Buddhist path to enlightenment. Thus, non-attachment presents a dilemma for laypersons, creating a challenge in reconciling Buddhist philosophy with the realities of worldly existence.
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spelling doaj-art-6eedec4e83984b2980789b0c4fe9b28e2025-08-20T03:29:48ZengMDPI AGPhilosophies2409-92872025-05-011036010.3390/philosophies10030060The Puzzle of Buddhist Non-Attachment: A Challenge for LaypersonsJoyitri Sarkar0Department of Philosophy, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, SloveniaThis article explores the challenges associated with practicing Buddhist non-attachment as a layperson and whether its application in everyday life represents a puzzle. In Buddhism, practicing non-attachment implies becoming free of desires, as prescribed by Mahāyāna Buddhist philosophy in pursuit of liberation. This raises a critical challenge to form and maintain friendships in this increasingly competitive and demanding environment. To thrive, one must pursue beneficial goals to ensure a meaningful existence. A layperson, therefore, cannot entirely detach from their goals and aspirations without potentially abandoning the Buddhist path to enlightenment. Thus, non-attachment presents a dilemma for laypersons, creating a challenge in reconciling Buddhist philosophy with the realities of worldly existence.https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/10/3/60non-attachmentlaypersonsBuddhismdesiresuffering
spellingShingle Joyitri Sarkar
The Puzzle of Buddhist Non-Attachment: A Challenge for Laypersons
Philosophies
non-attachment
laypersons
Buddhism
desire
suffering
title The Puzzle of Buddhist Non-Attachment: A Challenge for Laypersons
title_full The Puzzle of Buddhist Non-Attachment: A Challenge for Laypersons
title_fullStr The Puzzle of Buddhist Non-Attachment: A Challenge for Laypersons
title_full_unstemmed The Puzzle of Buddhist Non-Attachment: A Challenge for Laypersons
title_short The Puzzle of Buddhist Non-Attachment: A Challenge for Laypersons
title_sort puzzle of buddhist non attachment a challenge for laypersons
topic non-attachment
laypersons
Buddhism
desire
suffering
url https://www.mdpi.com/2409-9287/10/3/60
work_keys_str_mv AT joyitrisarkar thepuzzleofbuddhistnonattachmentachallengeforlaypersons
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