Difference between revisions of "Ambition and aspiration"
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[[Ambition]] (''[[icchana]]'') is an eagerness to acquire personal advantage – [[wealth]], power, {{Wiki|status}} or [[fame]] – while [[aspiration]] (patthāna) is a gentle but firm [[determination]] to achieve something. The English [[word]] [[ambition]] comes from the Latin ambitionem meaning ‘going around’ while [[aspiration]] is related to the Latin spiritus, [[breath]], and comes from the {{Wiki|French}} aspirare meaning ‘to {{Wiki|breathe}} out.’ [[Ambition]] is not necessarily negative, but it does have a tendency to override integrity in its drive to get what it wants. And when it does get what it wants, it sometimes misuses it. Successful actors who end up becoming {{Wiki|drug}} addicts, star athletes who cheat in order to win yet another medal, and wealthy businessmen who dodge taxes or steal from their shareholders in order to accumulate even more, would be examples of this. As the [[Buddha]] said, ‘Because of his [[craving]] for riches, the fool undermines himself.’ (Dhp.355). All too often, [[ambition]] just keeps us ‘going round,’ i.e. it further entangles us in [[saṃsāra]]. The so-called Self-Improvement {{Wiki|Movement}} in {{Wiki|America}} would be a good example of a [[philosophy]] of [[life]] based on [[ambition]]. Behind all the talk of ‘the [[passion]] for [[excellence]],’ ‘being the best you can be’ and ‘contributing to {{Wiki|society}},’ usually lies raw [[greed]] and [[selfishness]]. | [[Ambition]] (''[[icchana]]'') is an eagerness to acquire personal advantage – [[wealth]], power, {{Wiki|status}} or [[fame]] – while [[aspiration]] (patthāna) is a gentle but firm [[determination]] to achieve something. The English [[word]] [[ambition]] comes from the Latin ambitionem meaning ‘going around’ while [[aspiration]] is related to the Latin spiritus, [[breath]], and comes from the {{Wiki|French}} aspirare meaning ‘to {{Wiki|breathe}} out.’ [[Ambition]] is not necessarily negative, but it does have a tendency to override integrity in its drive to get what it wants. And when it does get what it wants, it sometimes misuses it. Successful actors who end up becoming {{Wiki|drug}} addicts, star athletes who cheat in order to win yet another medal, and wealthy businessmen who dodge taxes or steal from their shareholders in order to accumulate even more, would be examples of this. As the [[Buddha]] said, ‘Because of his [[craving]] for riches, the fool undermines himself.’ (Dhp.355). All too often, [[ambition]] just keeps us ‘going round,’ i.e. it further entangles us in [[saṃsāra]]. The so-called Self-Improvement {{Wiki|Movement}} in {{Wiki|America}} would be a good example of a [[philosophy]] of [[life]] based on [[ambition]]. Behind all the talk of ‘the [[passion]] for [[excellence]],’ ‘being the best you can be’ and ‘contributing to {{Wiki|society}},’ usually lies raw [[greed]] and [[selfishness]]. | ||
| − | [[Aspiration]] is a [[form]] of [[desire]] tempered by thoughtfulness, integrity and a self-interest that takes into account the interests of others too. While [[ambition]] is focused totally on the goal, [[aspiration]] never losessight of either the goal or the means used to attain it. [[Aspiration]] allows us to ‘{{Wiki|breathe}} freely’ (assāsa, M.I,64) after we have achieved our goal, because we know we have done it without compromising our values or disadvantaging others. [[Aspiration]] also [[understands]] that, while [[mundane]] goals may be useful in this [[life]], [[spiritual]] goals [[benefit]] us in both this and the next [[life]] and will eventually lead to the state of complete | + | [[Aspiration]] is a [[form]] of [[desire]] tempered by thoughtfulness, integrity and a self-interest that takes into account the interests of others too. While [[ambition]] is focused totally on the goal, [[aspiration]] never losessight of either the goal or the means used to attain it. [[Aspiration]] allows us to ‘{{Wiki|breathe}} freely’ (assāsa, M.I,64) after we have achieved our goal, because we know we have done it without compromising our values or disadvantaging others. [[Aspiration]] also [[understands]] that, while [[mundane]] goals may be useful in this [[life]], [[spiritual]] goals [[benefit]] us in both this and the next [[life]] and will eventually lead to the state of complete fulfilment where we no longer strive for any goal, i.e. [[Nirvāṇa]]. The [[Buddha]] said one should, ‘put forth his whole [[desire]], exert himself, make a strong [[effort]], apply his [[mind]] and resolve’ to attain such goals (A.IV,364). And when he said that one practising [[Dhamma]] should be ‘moderate in his [[desires]],’ he meant we should aspire towards worthwhile goals without allowing our [[aspiration]] to degenerate into [[ambition]]. See Entrepreneurial Skills. |
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[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=15 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=15 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 08:13, 9 February 2016
Ambition (icchana) is an eagerness to acquire personal advantage – wealth, power, status or fame – while aspiration (patthāna) is a gentle but firm determination to achieve something. The English word ambition comes from the Latin ambitionem meaning ‘going around’ while aspiration is related to the Latin spiritus, breath, and comes from the French aspirare meaning ‘to breathe out.’ Ambition is not necessarily negative, but it does have a tendency to override integrity in its drive to get what it wants. And when it does get what it wants, it sometimes misuses it. Successful actors who end up becoming drug addicts, star athletes who cheat in order to win yet another medal, and wealthy businessmen who dodge taxes or steal from their shareholders in order to accumulate even more, would be examples of this. As the Buddha said, ‘Because of his craving for riches, the fool undermines himself.’ (Dhp.355). All too often, ambition just keeps us ‘going round,’ i.e. it further entangles us in saṃsāra. The so-called Self-Improvement Movement in America would be a good example of a philosophy of life based on ambition. Behind all the talk of ‘the passion for excellence,’ ‘being the best you can be’ and ‘contributing to society,’ usually lies raw greed and selfishness. Aspiration is a form of desire tempered by thoughtfulness, integrity and a self-interest that takes into account the interests of others too. While ambition is focused totally on the goal, aspiration never losessight of either the goal or the means used to attain it. Aspiration allows us to ‘breathe freely’ (assāsa, M.I,64) after we have achieved our goal, because we know we have done it without compromising our values or disadvantaging others. Aspiration also understands that, while mundane goals may be useful in this life, spiritual goals benefit us in both this and the next life and will eventually lead to the state of complete fulfilment where we no longer strive for any goal, i.e. Nirvāṇa. The Buddha said one should, ‘put forth his whole desire, exert himself, make a strong effort, apply his mind and resolve’ to attain such goals (A.IV,364). And when he said that one practising Dhamma should be ‘moderate in his desires,’ he meant we should aspire towards worthwhile goals without allowing our aspiration to degenerate into ambition. See Entrepreneurial Skills.
