The Puzzle of Buddhist Non-Attachment: A Challenge for Laypersons
Philosophies May 19, 2025 Joykrishna Sarkar
Practicing Buddhist non-attachment as a layperson creates a dilemma because it requires becoming free of desires, yet forming and maintaining friendships and pursuing beneficial goals are necessary for a meaningful life in a competitive world. This tension makes it challenging to reconcile Mahāyāna Buddhist philosophy with everyday worldly existence without potentially abandoning the path to enlightenment.