The Eight Worldly Winds

Often, in Buddhist texts, the “eight worldly concerns” make their appearance. This verse, for example, is part of my daily practice:

I will learn to keep all these practices Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns. May I recognize all things as like illusions, And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage.

What are the concerns that taint daily life? The Buddha lists them in Lokavipatti Sutta. As translated by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu, the sutta begins:

Monks, these eight worldly conditions spin after the world, and the world spins after these eight worldly conditions. Which eight? Gain, loss, status, disgrace, censure, praise, pleasure, & pain. These are the eight worldly conditions that spin after the world, and the world spins after these eight worldly conditions.

That passage never struck me as profound until I saw the “concerns” translated as “winds.” Yes, most of us bend to the winds of:

Gain/loss,

status/disgrace,

censure/praise,

pleasure/pain.

With all eight winds, the compass heading is between attachment and aversion to avoid being blown off the path. Walk the path of equanimity.

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