<p>Suffering (attachment) &lt;= attraction &lt;= (desire + other reasons + conscious).</p>

<p>Naturally,<br>
 We feel many forms of attractions,<br>
 We feel many forms of repulsions,  </p>

<p>Suffering &lt;= (attraction / repulsion) &lt;= attachment &lt;= (desire + other reasons + conscious).  </p>

<p>This is a Natural process.<br>
This is a cyclic process.(desire to attachment).  </p>

<pre><code>    Attachment &lt;= (desire + other reasons + conscious).  

        |&gt;-------------------------&gt;--|  
</code></pre>

<p>If we want to avoid suffering, we should behave against the natural process.
 This will seems unbelievable.</p>

<p>Without other reasons, conscious only, not get desired.  </p>

<p>The <strong>trick</strong> is not removing desire or attachment, but the <strong><em>other reasons</em></strong>.  </p>

<p>There are two processes.<br>
1). reducing the governing force of the cycle.<br>
2). removing the other reason (Catalysts).<br>
These two process mutually helpful to each other. </p>

<p>So the "<strong>attachment to be consciously avoided</strong>" is first process. It reduces the forward cycle. But to completely stop, need completely remove the 'catalyst'(Avijja - Delusion).</p>

<p>In <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.008.nypo.html" rel="nofollow">Sallekha Sutta: The Discourse on Effacement</a>  Load Buddha shows how to remove this.</p>

<blockquote>
  <ol>
  <li><p>Thus have I heard. Once the Blessed One was staying at Savatthi, in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery.</p></li>
  <li><p>Then one evening the venerable Maha-Cunda<a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.008.nypo.html" rel="nofollow">1</a> rose from meditative seclusion and went to the Blessed One. Having paid homage to him, he
  sat down at one side and spoke thus to the Blessed One:</p></li>
  <li><p>"Venerable sir, there are these various views that arise in the world concerning self-doctrines or world-doctrines.[2] Does the
  abandoning and discarding of such views come about in a monk who is
  only at the beginning of his [meditative] reflections?"[3]</p></li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>"Cunda, as to those several views that arise in the world concerning
  self-doctrines and world-doctrines, if [the object] in which[4] these
  views arise, in which they underlie and become active,[5] is seen with
  right wisdom[6] as it actually is,[7] thus: 'This is not mine,[8] this
  I am not,[9] this is not my self'[10] — then the abandoning of these
  views, their discarding,[11] takes place in him [who thus sees].</p>
</blockquote>

<p>...</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>“So, Cunda, the way of effacement has been taught by me, the way of
  inclining the mind has been taught by me, the way of avoidance has
  been taught by me, the way leading upwards has been taught by me, and
  the way of extinguishing has been taught by me.</p>
  
  <p>“What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a teacher
  who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done
  for you, Cunda. There are these roots of trees, these empty huts.
  Meditate, Cunda, do not delay or else you will regret it later. This
  is our instruction to you.”</p>
  
  <p>That is what the Blessed One said. The venerable Mahā Cunda was
  satisfied and delighted in the Blessed One’s words.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-11T02:27:50.630Z
2015-10-11T04:26:57.780Z
2015-10-11T04:26:57.780Z
Shrawaka
<p>Appreciation or physically attraction per se are not attachments.</p>

<p>For example, appreciation of Dharma is not attachment. 
Another example, like being attracted to a beautifully crafted Buddha statue is not attachment.</p>

<p>Only when it is accompanied by greed and ignorance and hatred that it become attachment.</p>

<p>Since attachment causes us to lose wisdom, it should be avoided if we wish to gain wisdom.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-11T07:17:19.927Z
2015-10-13T15:07:17.880Z
2015-10-13T15:07:17.880Z
tutu
<p>What you say "attachment", I think that the Pali word for 'attachment' is <em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up%C4%81d%C4%81na">Upādāna</a></em>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In Buddhism, upādāna is a critical link in the arising of suffering.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>When it says "link", there, it means that it is, "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up%C4%81d%C4%81na#As_part_of_the_causal_chain_of_suffering">part of the causal chain of suffering</a>",</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In the twelve-linked chain of Dependent Origination (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratitya-samutpada">Pratītyasamutpāda</a>, also see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Nid%C4%81nas">Twelve Nidanas</a>), clinging (upādāna) is the ninth causal link:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Upādāna (Clinging) is dependent on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanha">Tṛṣṇā</a> (Craving) as a condition before it can exist.<br>
  "With Craving as condition, Clinging arises".</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

<p>That Wikipedia article (as well as other references, <a href="http://www.palikanon.com/english/wtb/u_v/upaadaana.htm">like this one</a>) also says that there are different types of attachment:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In the Sutta Pitaka, the Buddha states that there are four types of clinging:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li><strong>sense-pleasure</strong> clinging (<em>kamupadana</em>)</li>
  <li><strong>wrong-view</strong> clinging (<em>ditthupadana</em>)</li>
  <li><strong>rites-and-rituals</strong> clinging (<em>silabbatupadana</em>)</li>
  <li><strong>self-doctrine</strong> clinging (<em>attavadupadana</em>).</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

<p>Perhaps you can see how "physical attraction" might be related to all four types of clinging; for example:</p>

<ul>
<li>"That person looks and feels and smells and sounds pleasurable, I enjoy perceiving them" (sense pleasure)</li>
<li>"I'll love that person forever" alternatively "It's just a one-night stand with no consequences" (wrong view e.g. eternalism or nihilism)</li>
<li>The "dating game" and "marriage" as a source of happiness (rites and rituals)</li>
<li>"I am attractive or unattractive, because I do or don't have a romantic partner" (self-doctrine)</li>
</ul>

<p>The <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.052.than.html">Upadana Sutta</a> says,</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>In one who keeps focusing on the allure of clingable phenomena (or: phenomena that offer sustenance = the five aggregates), craving develops. From craving as a requisite condition comes clinging/sustenance.</p>
  
  <p>Now, in one who keeps focusing on the drawbacks of clingable phenomena, craving ceases. From the cessation of craving comes the cessation of clinging/sustenance. From the cessation of clinging/sustenance comes the cessation of becoming. From the cessation of becoming comes the cessation of birth. From the cessation of birth, then aging, illness &amp; death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, &amp; despair all cease. Such is the cessation of this entire mass of suffering &amp; stress.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I think that the first paragraph is saying that attachment arises as a result of a process like the following:</p>

<ul>
<li>"That person is physically attractive" (is focus on the allure of clingable phenomena)</li>
<li>"I enjoy the attraction, I like being attracted" followed by "That enjoyment/attraction has vanished, I wish it would reoccur" (is craving)</li>
<li>"I want that person, because they're attractive" (is attachment)</li>
</ul>

<p>Conversely the second paragraph is recommending a process like the following:</p>

<ul>
<li>"Sensual pleasures are impermanent and cannot be satisfactory (focus on the drawbacks of clingable phenomena ... not only sensual pleasures but the other types of clinging too)</li>
<li>"Seeing their drawbacks therefore I don't actually find them very attractive" (craving ceases)</li>
<li>I'm not attracted so I don't become attached (no attachment so the cycle doesn't continue).</li>
</ul>

<p>There are mental exercises purposely designed to make the body seem unattractive (e.g. imagine it as a corpse, as a skeleton, etc.).</p>

<hr>

<p>I think there are also other ways to approach the problem. One way might be via self-doctrine, for example, if you have the thought, "I want that person, because they're attractive" then you might think ... "Wait, it's not that '<em>they are</em> attractive' it's that '<em>I perceive</em> them as, I consider them, I find them to be, attractive. However '<em>I</em>' am impermanent, the 'I' is just a reification of impermanent senses, and so that (i.e. 'my' view, that they are attractive) is impermanent and not something to 'attach myself' to."</p>

<hr>

<p>In <em>Thundering Silence: Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Catch a Snake</em>
 by Thich Nhat Hanh, he writes,</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Many people think that to undergo spiritual discipline is to practice asceticism and austerities. But to others, the practice of the Dharma does not exclude the enjoyment of the fresh air, the setting sun, a glass of cool water, and so on. Enjoying things in moderation does not bring us suffering or tie us with the bonds of attachment. Once we recognize that all of these things are impermanent, we have no problem enjoying them. In fact, real peace and joy are only possible when we see clearly into the nature of impermanence.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>It then mentions times in the suttas where the Buddha expressed appreciation for a good meal, or commented on the beauty of a landscape.</p>

<p>Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist monk.</p>

<p>I think he's saying that perceiving a sense-pleasure as unpleasurable isn't the only way to avoid craving and attachment: that you may be able to avoid attachment by enjoying such things in moderation and remaining mindful of impermanence.</p>

<hr>

<p>Beware though that doctrine may warn there's a difference between food and sex (if "sex" is what you mean by "physical attraction and appreciation of the human form") -- e.g. the <a href="http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an04/an04.159.than.html">Bhikkhuni Sutta</a>,</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>This body, sister, comes into being through food. And yet it is by relying on food that food is to be abandoned.</p>
  
  <p>This body comes into being through craving. And yet it is by relying on craving that craving is to be abandoned.</p>
  
  <p>This body comes into being through conceit. And yet it is by relying on conceit that conceit is to be abandoned.</p>
  
  <p>This body comes into being through sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is to be abandoned. With regard to sexual intercourse, the Buddha declares the cutting off of the bridge.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Buddhist <em>monks</em> (at least, if not lay people) are celibate.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-11T10:32:15.897Z
2015-10-11T10:32:15.897Z
ChrisW
<p>Naturally as humans we feel many forms of attraction to other humans, but I am curious to know:</p>

<p><strong>Is attraction (or more so, a mere appreciation of the human form) considered a form of desire and, by extension, attachment to be consciously avoided?</strong></p>

<attachment>
Is Physical Attraction or Appreciation of the Human Form Considered Attachment?
# Is Physical Attraction or Appreciation of the Human Form Considered Attachment?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-10-10)

Naturally as humans we feel many forms of attraction to other humans, but I am curious to know:

**Is attraction (or more so, a mere appreciation of the human form) considered a form of desire and, by extension, attachment to be consciously avoided?**

**Tags:** attachment


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-10-11. Score: 6 | Accepted answer

What you say "attachment", I think that the Pali word for 'attachment' is *[Upādāna](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up%C4%81d%C4%81na)*:

> In Buddhism, upādāna is a critical link in the arising of suffering.

When it says "link", there, it means that it is, "[part of the causal chain of suffering](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up%C4%81d%C4%81na#As_part_of_the_causal_chain_of_suffering)",

> In the twelve-linked chain of Dependent Origination ([Pratītyasamutpāda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratitya-samutpada), also see [Twelve Nidanas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_Nid%C4%81nas)), clinging (upādāna) is the ninth causal link:
>
> * Upādāna (Clinging) is dependent on [Tṛṣṇā](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanha) (Craving) as a condition before it can exist.  
>   "With Craving as condition, Clinging arises".

That Wikipedia article (as well as other references, [like this one](http://www.palikanon.com/english/wtb/u_v/upaadaana.htm)) also says that there are different types of attachment:

> In the Sutta Pitaka, the Buddha states that there are four types of clinging:
>
> * **sense-pleasure** clinging (*kamupadana*)
> * **wrong-view** clinging (*ditthupadana*)
> * **rites-and-rituals** clinging (*silabbatupadana*)
> * **self-doctrine** clinging (*attavadupadana*).

Perhaps you can see how "physical attraction" might be related to all four types of clinging; for example:

* "That person looks and feels and smells and sounds pleasurable, I enjoy perceiving them" (sense pleasure)
* "I'll love that person forever" alternatively "It's just a one-night stand with no consequences" (wrong view e.g. eternalism or nihilism)
* The "dating game" and "marriage" as a source of happiness (rites and rituals)
* "I am attractive or unattractive, because I do or don't have a romantic partner" (self-doctrine)

The [Upadana Sutta](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn12/sn12.052.than.html) says,

> In one who keeps focusing on the allure of clingable phenomena (or: phenomena that offer sustenance = the five aggregates), craving develops. From craving as a requisite condition comes clinging/sustenance.
>
> Now, in one who keeps focusing on the drawbacks of clingable phenomena, craving ceases. From the cessation of craving comes the cessation of clinging/sustenance. From the cessation of clinging/sustenance comes the cessation of becoming. From the cessation of becoming comes the cessation of birth. From the cessation of birth, then aging, illness & death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, & despair all cease. Such is the cessation of this entire mass of suffering & stress.

I think that the first paragraph is saying that attachment arises as a result of a process like the following:

* "That person is physically attractive" (is focus on the allure of clingable phenomena)
* "I enjoy the attraction, I like being attracted" followed by "That enjoyment/attraction has vanished, I wish it would reoccur" (is craving)
* "I want that person, because they're attractive" (is attachment)

Conversely the second paragraph is recommending a process like the following:

* "Sensual pleasures are impermanent and cannot be satisfactory (focus on the drawbacks of clingable phenomena ... not only sensual pleasures but the other types of clinging too)
* "Seeing their drawbacks therefore I don't actually find them very attractive" (craving ceases)
* I'm not attracted so I don't become attached (no attachment so the cycle doesn't continue).

There are mental exercises purposely designed to make the body seem unattractive (e.g. imagine it as a corpse, as a skeleton, etc.).

---

I think there are also other ways to approach the problem. One way might be via self-doctrine, for example, if you have the thought, "I want that person, because they're attractive" then you might think ... "Wait, it's not that '*they are* attractive' it's that '*I perceive* them as, I consider them, I find them to be, attractive. However '*I*' am impermanent, the 'I' is just a reification of impermanent senses, and so that (i.e. 'my' view, that they are attractive) is impermanent and not something to 'attach myself' to."

---

In *Thundering Silence: Sutra on Knowing the Better Way to Catch a Snake*
by Thich Nhat Hanh, he writes,

> Many people think that to undergo spiritual discipline is to practice asceticism and austerities. But to others, the practice of the Dharma does not exclude the enjoyment of the fresh air, the setting sun, a glass of cool water, and so on. Enjoying things in moderation does not bring us suffering or tie us with the bonds of attachment. Once we recognize that all of these things are impermanent, we have no problem enjoying them. In fact, real peace and joy are only possible when we see clearly into the nature of impermanence.

It then mentions times in the suttas where the Buddha expressed appreciation for a good meal, or commented on the beauty of a landscape.

Thich Nhat Hanh is a Zen Buddhist monk.

I think he's saying that perceiving a sense-pleasure as unpleasurable isn't the only way to avoid craving and attachment: that you may be able to avoid attachment by enjoying such things in moderation and remaining mindful of impermanence.

---

Beware though that doctrine may warn there's a difference between food and sex (if "sex" is what you mean by "physical attraction and appreciation of the human form") -- e.g. the [Bhikkhuni Sutta](http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an04/an04.159.than.html),

> This body, sister, comes into being through food. And yet it is by relying on food that food is to be abandoned.
>
> This body comes into being through craving. And yet it is by relying on craving that craving is to be abandoned.
>
> This body comes into being through conceit. And yet it is by relying on conceit that conceit is to be abandoned.
>
> This body comes into being through sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is to be abandoned. With regard to sexual intercourse, the Buddha declares the cutting off of the bridge.

Buddhist *monks* (at least, if not lay people) are celibate.


---

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-10-11. Score: 1

Suffering (attachment) <= attraction <= (desire + other reasons + conscious).
Naturally,
 We feel many forms of attractions,
 We feel many forms of repulsions,  
Suffering <= (attraction / repulsion) <= attachment <= (desire + other reasons + conscious).  
This is a Natural process.
This is a cyclic process.(desire to attachment).  
    Attachment <= (desire + other reasons + conscious).  

        |>------------------------->--|  

If we want to avoid suffering, we should behave against the natural process.
 This will seems unbelievable.
Without other reasons, conscious only, not get desired.  
The trick is not removing desire or attachment, but the other reasons.  
There are two processes.
1). reducing the governing force of the cycle.
2). removing the other reason (Catalysts).
These two process mutually helpful to each other. 
So the "attachment to be consciously avoided" is first process. It reduces the forward cycle. But to completely stop, need completely remove the 'catalyst'(Avijja - Delusion).
In Sallekha Sutta: The Discourse on Effacement  Load Buddha shows how to remove this.


Thus have I heard. Once the Blessed One was staying at Savatthi, in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery.
Then one evening the venerable Maha-Cunda1 rose from meditative seclusion and went to the Blessed One. Having paid homage to him, he
  sat down at one side and spoke thus to the Blessed One:
"Venerable sir, there are these various views that arise in the world concerning self-doctrines or world-doctrines.[2] Does the
  abandoning and discarding of such views come about in a monk who is
  only at the beginning of his [meditative] reflections?"[3]

"Cunda, as to those several views that arise in the world concerning
  self-doctrines and world-doctrines, if [the object] in which[4] these
  views arise, in which they underlie and become active,[5] is seen with
  right wisdom[6] as it actually is,[7] thus: 'This is not mine,[8] this
  I am not,[9] this is not my self'[10] — then the abandoning of these
  views, their discarding,[11] takes place in him [who thus sees].

...

“So, Cunda, the way of effacement has been taught by me, the way of
  inclining the mind has been taught by me, the way of avoidance has
  been taught by me, the way leading upwards has been taught by me, and
  the way of extinguishing has been taught by me.
“What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a teacher
  who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done
  for you, Cunda. There are these roots of trees, these empty huts.
  Meditate, Cunda, do not delay or else you will regret it later. This
  is our instruction to you.”
That is what the Blessed One said. The venerable Mahā Cunda was
  satisfied and delighted in the Blessed One’s words.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-10-11. Score: -2

Appreciation or physically attraction per se are not attachments.

For example, appreciation of Dharma is not attachment.
Another example, like being attracted to a beautifully crafted Buddha statue is not attachment.

Only when it is accompanied by greed and ignorance and hatred that it become attachment.

Since attachment causes us to lose wisdom, it should be avoided if we wish to gain wisdom.


---

