Renouncing attachment: A cornerstone of Buddhist thought

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One of the most famous tenets of Buddhist philosophy is also among the most misunderstood. Taking on many names, the renunciation of attachment is the foundation for the Buddhist’s journey to enlightenment.


To the casual layperson, this tenet and others related to it seem almost discouraging, a far cry from the joy associated with following the path. They must be framed in the context of the noble truths of Buddhism before the notion of detachment can be understood.


The first of these truths is that life is suffering. The word used in the original Sanskrit, “dukkha,” could also be translated to “dissatisfaction,” which carries the same weight. The second truth reveals that life’s sufferings come from attachment, detachment, and hatred. We are unsatisfied with our lives because we separate our identities from the world; likewise, we feel attached to impermanent material things.

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The third and fourth truths hinge on attaining freedom from suffering and following the path toward it. One of which, therefore is the rejection of attachment. This acknowledgment of non-attachment even includes the ones we have to our own lives. We often separate our identities from the world, clouding ourselves from our true nature and becoming preoccupied with the impermanent as a result.


Often, people see non-attachment as severing ties with our everyday lives. In truth, it is merely acknowledging inherent non-attachment, a recognition of the impermanence of material things and earthly lives. We shouldn’t be preoccupied with keeping these things and should learn to let things go when the time comes.


Jonah Engler is a follower of Tibetan Buddhism and an ardent practitioner of mindfulness and meditation. This blog shares updates on Buddhism, modern art, and the importance of mindfulness.