I am currently reading the chapter on the Hells in Surangama Sutra, looking more specifically the ten causes and six retributions. As Buddha is explaining to Ananda, there are ten causes which come from the habits and thoughts of beings, and corresponding retributions. As I am reading this passage, I notice that desire is the first of the ten causes, and as the ten causes progress, they seem to get closer to 'enmeshment' that arises when we choose to act on desires. For instance, if I have a lot of desires (first cause), I start to develop craving for specific outcomes (second cause), which in turn leads to the plotting and planning that gives rise to an arrogant, competitive outlook on life (third cause). The fourth cause is hatred, which likely arises when I start to harbor resentment toward others who can easily obtain what I desire, and the fifth cause (enticing others) refers to the habit of trying to coerce others to colluding with what a desire. I think of this fifth cause as trying to 'dress up' one's intentions or plans in a kind of veneer of false advertising, or selling a product that is already pretty thin. Falsehood (the sixth cause) and resentment (the seventh cause) refer to tendencies to mislead others as well as oppose others in our pursuit of desired objects. By the time we get to the eighth cause (wrong view), it seems that we are starting to get into ignorance, or holding deluded and false views which are likely exacerbated by the desire and hatred.
Now, I am not sure if I am reading this correctly, because there is no particular reason to interpret the ten causes as a progression, per se. However, I find that this creative interpretation can be quite valuable, because it seems to contextualize desires as a root cause of a lot of suffering, particularly sensual desires or longing. I just wonder, however, does this passage of the sutra intend to inspire fear in the monastic community, especially fear of backsliding into the sensual realm? I believe that considering Ananda is originally seduced by desire in the beginning of the sutra, it makes sense that desire would be so fundamental and worth discussing and exploring. However, I wonder, is this the only way of looking at desires, namely something that brings about karmic retribution?
In my opinion, most of the desires that people have are played out in a social realm, and therefore they almost always involve other people. If I am part of a street gang, for instance, I might be there because I crave recognition and status, as well as the ability to play a part in a community, rather than feeling alienated. In fact, this is probably how the majority of people become involved in gangs: there is a kind of social currency which involves gaining power and prestige in relation to others. But in a more fundamental sense, desire in this case might also stem from the long to feel connected to a larger group, even if that larger group may not be involved in the most savory practices. Could being affiliated with a community have mixed motivations, I wonder? Could it be longing for ego continuity (prestige, status, respect etc.) but could there also be a longing to transcend ego by serving a wider community? I think that it's useful to look at one's desires from both perspectives, rather than trying to repress desires and not deeply examine their contexts.
With wisdom, of course, one can distinguish the kinds of thoughts that can lead to good karmic results and the ones which are only about upholding the ego. I think that this is what the Buddha means when he suggests that more 'pure thoughts' lead a person away from Hell, whereas indulging in emotions almost always leads to some difficulties. However, it seems important that a person still develop some degree of empathy toward desires, whether it's one's own or others, because it's not just 'me' who desires but a whole network of beings. If I only focus on transcending my own cravings or at least trying to see them in perspective, this attitude ignores the others and might only get me into more and more difficulties. People sometimes experience situations where they try to suppress feelings of anger, for instance, only to find that the person to whom they are angry provokes them even more. Why? Well, I think it may be because we haven't dealt with the emotion in a compassionate way, so the emotion returns to us in a greater force. Once a person is clear minded yet compassionate about the emotion, it tends to come back with much less force and muster.
If I only try to deal with my own desires, I am also creating a false ego which divides 'me' from the 'others', and this can also lead to a kind of spiritual arrogance. The philosopher Montagne had a good understanding of this when the talked about the Stoic philosophers. In Montagne's view, too much of an emphasis on trying to suppress desires can lead to a haughtiness which often brings about conflict, both within oneself and in others.
Surangama Sutra: A New Translation (2009). Buddhist Text Translation Society
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