Comparison Of Sexual Desire In Zen Buddhism And Taoism

The Buddhist monk also has a fairly straightforward opinion of sexual desire. In essay 8, Kenko writes, “Nothing leads a man astray so easily as sexual desire.” He likens sexual desire to how men are so eager and excited to catch a whiff of the fleeting scent of fragrances and perfumes. These aromas are all short-lived, but even knowing so, men become ecstatic over this brief experience. For instance, Kenko writes about how he once encountered a man and a woman chatting in a temple at night. Upon noticing the woman’s charm and then catching a whiff of the woman’s perfume, he longed to hear their full conversation. All it took was the faint smell of the woman’s perfume, and he was distracted and longed for her company. In essay 26, Kenko also

A key point of Zen Buddhism and Taoism is that everything is transient and always changing, whether it be life or nature. Kenko compares the impermanence of the woman’s affection to the fading, scattering cherry blossoms. Furthermore, Kenko experiences a great sadness when he realizes that she and all humans are always steadily dying, and will soon leave this world. The transience of life is a theme found in both Zen Buddhism and Taoism. Both ideologies emphasize the impermanence of life, and encourage followers to free themselves of worldly desires.

Many of the short essays in Essays in Idleness teach different lessons about how to live better lives. These lessons are often centered around Zen Buddhist and Taoist beliefs about life, and often show influences of Japanese culture and social behavior. Some of Kenko’s essays give instructions on how to act at social gatherings, and other manners to become a better person. For instance, he says, “It is not advisable to go to someone’s house without special business. If you have gone on business, leave as soon as it is completed” (Kenko 146). Staying for a long time is extremely bothersome to both parties, and will only cause everyone to be physically fatigued and mentally agitated. Kenko states that most conversations