（Greed）
To a certain extent, awakening signifies that one is a life without error, free from delusion and attachment. For such an individual can precisely discern the methods that engender suffering and those that give rise to happiness. They have a clear understanding of their true self and the tools at their disposal.
Once one employs ignorance, one will inevitably invite suffering contrary to one’s desires. Greed, one of the afflictions, is such an instance. Every act of greed invariably gives rise to the eight kinds of suffering, though one remains unaware.
For example, driven by cravings, individuals may develop dietary preferences that lead to an imbalance of essential nutrients. An excess of certain components and a severe deficiency of others result in various ailments. An awakened being possesses the wisdom to discern the effects of different foods.
For instance, individuals become attached due to their craving for love. Once separated, they become despondent and, in severe cases, may even contemplate suicide, overwhelmed by the agony of separation and the suffering of unfulfilled desires. An awakened and wise being understands that the world is like a dream, illusory in nature. All phenomena arise from the coming together of causes and conditions and cease when these conditions disperse. To perpetuate this illusion, one should actively cultivate causes and conditions, foster connections, and let go of attachment.
For instance, driven by greed for food, individuals obsess over strategies to consume more or less, wasting time and energy, and impairing both their physical and mental agility. Such behaviors also diminish one’s reputation. An awakened and wise being does not dwell on the fleeting experiences of gain and loss.
For instance, driven by an insatiable desire for material possessions, individuals may resort to flattery and smooth talk to ingratiate themselves with others, aiming to accumulate more wealth. An awakened and wise being, however, deeply understands the inverse relationship between greed and gain, and thus remains steadfast in their original aspiration, unperturbed by worldly afflictions.
For instance,entangled in the net of sensual desires, beings become ensnared in worldly dramas. Women allure men, and men adore women, driven by the insatiable thirst for pleasure. Love, hate, and enmity intertwine, perpetuating the cycle of birth and death. The enlightened, recognizing the suffering caused by attachment, transcend these worldly bonds.
For instance,ensnared by indolence, one squanders precious time and misses the fleeting moments of life. The enlightened, recognizing the value of life, strives tirelessly to cultivate a noble existence.
For instance,Driven by greed, one becomes callous, disregarding kinship and gratitude. Cunning and self-serving, such a person is shunned by all. In contrast, the awakened one, endowed with wisdom, bestows kindness upon others, thereby gaining the hearts of many.
For instance,just as the emperor in “The Emperor’s New Clothes” was naked yet believed himself to be adorned in magnificent robes, so too do people, blinded by flattery, fall into delusion. Once ensnared by the pursuit of praise and lost in the echo chamber of adulation, they become intoxicated with their own perceived greatness, oblivious to the dangers lurking beneath. The wise, however, remain vigilant, wary of the subtle, yet insidious, poison of flattery.
If one truly possesses all they desire, there would be no need for further craving. The very act of continued coveting is a testament to the insufficiency one feels. The satisfaction people experience is a fleeting illusion, yet the suffering it engenders is all too real.
