Thought of the week

Drinking, dancing, singing, and the pleasures of the flesh never fully satisfy. […] . First, those pleasures do not satisfy both the body and mind. Second, they depend on external circumstances over which we never have complete control, and as such are not always immediately available whenever and wherever we want them. [...] On reflection, pleasures are the cause of great frustration and repeated suffering. [...] However, the happiness provided by the Dharma is quite different. It permeates the body and mind at all times and in all circumstances. [...] No enemy and no event can take it away from us, and its benefits continue into our future lives. That is why it is an ultimate goal to achieve.

ASANGA (sixth century)
Asanga, extract from gdams ngag rin po che'i mdzod, compiled and edited by Jamgon Kongtrul Lodro Thaye ('jam mgon kong sprul blo gros mtha' yas, 1813-1899), Shechen Publications, India, 1999, vol. 3, p. 458-9.