floodwaters all year round. Consequently, no one understands the
real reason for the on-going deterioration of world affairs because
each and every person is contributing to and encouraging this sit-
uation by failing to recognize that rãgataõhã is directly responsi-
ble for the worsening situation. If we do not focus our attention
on the real cause, it will be impossible for us to find any genuine
sense of contentment.”
The original question asked only about that aspect of rãga-
taõhã concerning the attraction between people, completely ignor-
ing the destruction instigated by rãgataõhã through hatred and
anger. But in his explanation Ãcariya Mun touched on the full
range of detrimental results stemming from rãgataõhã. He said
that it is rãgataõhã which dictates the passionate urges of men,
women, and all the animals, facilitating the pleasure they find
in each others company – this is a principle of nature. Nothing
other than this gives rise to mutual affection and mutual animos-
ity. When rãgataõhã uses its deceptive tricks for passionate ends,
people fall in love. When it uses its deceptive tricks to bring forth
hatred and anger, they inevitably hate, get angry, and harm each
other. Should it wish to control people using love as a means, then
people become so attracted to one another that there’s no sepa-
rating them. Should it wish those same people to fall under the
influence of hatred and anger, then they’ll feel an irresistible urge
to do just that.
Ãcariya Mun asked the lay people present: “Haven’t you
ever quarreled among yourselves? You husbands and wives who
have been in love since before you were married? You asked me
about it, but you should know a lot more about this matter than
a monk does.” To this they replied: “Yes, we’ve quarreled until we
jacob rumans
(Jacob Rumans)
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