Why does Buddhism encourage detachment?
Detachment in Buddhism does not mean that one cannot enjoy anything or enjoy being with anyone. It means, getting rid of too much clinging and craving for something or someone that could lead to suffering. In the initial period, complete detachment from everyone and everything seems impossible. Initially, we practice to detach from the greater attachments such as high living standards, jewellery, fancy clothings, delicious food etc. and live a simple normal life. This is practice of self contentment. Eventually, we try to detach from teacher, students, family and even one’s own body. That is the time when we are totally detached from everyone and everything, which is the enlightened state. Unless we attain enlightenment we need to practice to develop detachments from people and the worldly things but total detachment from everyone and everything is only possible when we attain enlightenment.
