How to Eradicate the Defilements of Craving

The purpose of spiritual practice is to eradicate craving. Craving arises at the point where the six sense bases contact the six sense objects; therefore, craving must be halted precisely at the point where the six sense bases contact the six sense objects. When the eye faculty contacts a visible form, if the mind does not give rise to craving, craving is halted. When the ear faculty contacts a sound, if the mind does not give rise to craving, craving is halted. When the nose faculty contacts an odor, if the mind does not give rise to craving, craving is halted. When the tongue faculty contacts a taste, if the mind does not give rise to craving, craving is halted. When the body faculty contacts a tangible object, if the mind does not give rise to craving, craving is halted. When the mind faculty contacts a mental object, if the mind does not give rise to craving, craving is halted. According to the habitual tendency of craving within the mind, craving for forms, sounds, smells, tastes, tangibles, and mental objects should naturally arise. However, because the practice possesses strength, it prevents the manifestation of craving and halts it. This is the achievement of practice. The absence of craving is the virtue of practice. Thus, through practice, merit is born. Virtue refers to moral character and virtuous conduct; it is the wholesome manifestation of the mind. Where there is wholesomeness, there is movement toward liberation; where there is wholesomeness, there is proximity to emancipation. The afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion are bondage; they are non-liberation and non-emancipation.

Merit does not arise easily. This is because the afflictions of greed, hatred, and delusion accumulated over beginningless kalpas are deeply rooted, and the habitual tendencies are profound and heavy, making them difficult to subdue and eradicate. It requires prolonged contemplation and mental cultivation over many kalpas, contemplating the suffering inherent in craving, and subduing craving bit by bit. If one does not recognize the suffering caused by craving, one cannot subdue it. Sentient beings all desire pleasure; they all move towards pleasure and avoid suffering. Only when suffering is directly observed in the present moment will they choose to avoid suffering and eliminate its affliction. Therefore, the first step in spiritual practice is to observe suffering, recognize suffering, and perceive suffering. Only then can the mind withdraw from the point of contact with the six sense objects and refrain from delving deeply into them, thus preventing the arising of the suffering of craving. Without the first step of observing suffering and knowing suffering, there can be no second step of eradicating the origin, nor a third step of yearning for cessation, and consequently no fourth step of cultivating the path. Therefore, it is extremely difficult for an individual to arouse the mind set on the path; this is due to the force of habitual craving.

Observing all sentient beings, none fail to crave the pleasurable contact of the six sense objects, unwilling to relinquish the contact and sensation of the six sense objects. In reality, craving is entirely suffering; there is no pleasurable sensation. Yet, sentient beings all dwell within the suffering of craving without realizing it. Countless individuals who study Buddhism still aim to enjoy worldly life and pursue pleasurable sensations. However, the result is invariably suffering. It is merely due to the lack of wisdom over beginningless kalpas that they fail to recognize this truth. They blindly pursue pleasure yet never truly experience it. This is delusion. The affliction of delusion is the hardest to shake off. Despite the World-Honored One's patient exhortations, sentient beings remain steeped in delusion and ignorance. Is spiritual practice easy? It is extremely difficult. Therefore, it is said that the initial severance of self-view is as difficult as ascending to the sky. One should recognize this fact, be realistic, and avoid arrogance.