# Is this a Buddhist paradox? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 20, 2002, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-buddhist-paradox/99190 "2002-03-20T09:15:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-buddhist-paradox/99190/21 "2002-03-22T01:08:42Z")
> [@](#): > > Lao Tzu in that same silly book also chasizes people who are not on the path as those who ‘laugh’/ridicaule at the words he wrote. All religious ideations possess one of these forms to intimidate anyone from commenting on the source in a critical manner; without being excluded by the source itself as having the ability to comment coherently. I do not profess to be an expert on Buddhism, but I have always understood that Lao Tzu quote as meaning that the words used to describe the tao (way) will prevent the listener from truly understanding the tao. I find that to be remarkably reassuring, for it helps me to feel at ease when my words cannot describe my reality. ---
**Author:** ![kuroashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e9a140/32.png) [@kuroashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kuroashi)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-buddhist-paradox/99190/22 "2002-03-22T02:28:24Z")
…not unlike “When you meet the Buddha, kill the Buddha.” ---
**Author:** ![PsychoKick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b19c9b/32.png) [@PsychoKick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PsychoKick)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-buddhist-paradox/99190/23 "2002-03-22T08:26:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Justhink \* > \*\* > Non-attatchment looks a whole lot like rejection though… > \*\* Actually, (from my admittedly non-Buddhist viewpoint) I think non-attachment more closely resembles indifference. ---
**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-buddhist-paradox/99190/24 "2002-03-22T09:54:09Z")
The Zen Master sighed. “I can see from the replies on this thread that my white stick did not do the trick. I banish this thread and all other philosophical discussions into ‘great debates’ where they shall burn forever. Me, I’m off to the pub to get pissed” ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-buddhist-paradox/99190/25 "2002-03-22T14:52:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sirjamesp \* > \*\*But when you obtain “freedom from desire”, then it is no longer a desire. So, when you have eliminated desire for more tangible stuff, then you’ve automatically achieved this last piece of the puzzle. > > I guess it’s one of those enlightening moments. \*\* The alternative is to obtain all the tangible stuff you desire, then you have eliminated desire. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2002, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-buddhist-paradox/99190/26 "2002-03-22T17:52:30Z")
For a long time, I desired that this thread should sink out of sight. It looks like that isn’t happening, so I desire that it should go off to GD. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-buddhist-paradox/99190.md?page=1)