The Burdens of Our Values on the Journey

 

"On a journey, I found myself contemplating the burdens imposed by the things we cling to in the depths of our minds. We carry these burdens throughout our path. And as we travel, we trip over obstacles and get caught in thorns.

What do we cling to? They are values. Some call them 'values' (in English), or perhaps 'Adhippāya' (meaning/intention) in Pali. These core values vary greatly from person to person; some align, some differ, and some even stand in stark opposition to one another. It is difficult to say which is right or better.

Let's briefly illustrate the kinds of burdens and the weight carried by a person whose life journey is defined by a particular value. It is fascinating.

A core value is the foundation of a person. It dictates their thoughts, beliefs, and intentions, which then shape their Character. This can be called the 'internal attribute' or perhaps be closely associated with 'virtue' (Sīla). From this, their Personality develops—which we can call the 'external attribute.' We must avoid confusing these two. This, in turn, builds up to their Attitudes and Motivations, eventually leading to their Behaviors. The consequences of all these influence them constantly. That is why I refer to them as burdens.

Let's take a common value: Freedom. What might be the Character of someone who holds this value? Upon my (AI) inquiry, the core traits found are Honesty and Authenticity. It is said that a person seeking freedom possesses these qualities. Conversely, one cannot achieve freedom without honesty and authenticity. Another characteristic is the desire to live according to one's own genuine inner self, without regard for external influences or self-interest. Reciprocally, it is understood that only by living this way can true freedom be attained. This is the inner attribute, or simply, the character.

This character molds their Personality (though these are mutually dependent and not a one-way street. It would be better explained using the Paṭṭhāna methods of the causal relations: Hetu, Aññamañña, Nissaya, Upanissaya, Atthi, etc., that support one another). What kind of personality? Self-determination (perhaps Atta-padhāna—self-reliance) and an open, curious mind. They detest having to comply with the wills of others. This subsequently leads to their Motivations or Desires.

Their desires and motivations are centered on internal satisfaction rather than external rewards. They are the kind of people who would work even without pay if they find inner contentment, or who donate without seeking recognition or inscription.

Circling back, I understand that to truly achieve freedom, one must be able to practice these virtues. What is the Attitude of such people? It is an attitude that tends to be critical of rules and traditions. When these attitudes translate into Behavior, they act out of Passion and Interest.

We often talk about wanting freedom and liberation. By working backward, we often stumble right at the first step: are we truly doing what we are passionate about? The point here is not that you must only do what you love and never what you don't. However, it is an undeniable truth that if you walk this path, you will reach this destination; if you want to reach that destination, you must walk that path.

Let's return to the concept of values for a moment. We also commonly hear the value of Fame. What burdens does this person's journey entail? Fame relies entirely on external factors—the need for constant public praise and recognition. To achieve this, they often have to conceal their true selves. They may engage in dishonest or unsavory acts. This certainly involves suffering and exhaustion. This is their character (or so the AI links it).

What personality does this character cultivate? Traits like being Prominent-seeking, Arrogant, and Conceited. What are their motivations and desires? The answer is clear: the Desire for Recognition. Thus, they are constantly promoting themselves and showcasing their abilities. Their actions will always be those that are attractive to the public eye. These are their nature and behaviors, and these are the burdens they must carry. The implication is that these things are necessary to achieve fame.

Just as there are various kinds of people and minds, there are countless values. Their resulting behaviors are different. What is certain is that everyone carries a burden.

To make these two examples clearer, let's use two notable figures: Siddhattha and Devadatta. The core value driving Siddhattha was Liberation. The value that propelled Devadatta was the Desire for Fame.

That is all. I believe it would be beneficial for us to know our own values and to understand the burdens we are carrying."