DETACHMENT

"Detachment" is a key concept in Zen Buddhism.  It is defined by the technical Chinese term "wú niàn," which literally means "no thought."  This does not mean the literal absence of thought, but rather the state of being "unstained" by thought.

Detachment is being disengaged from one's thoughts. It is to separate oneself from one's thoughts and opinions in order to not be harmed mentally and emotionally by them.

The Vedantist view of detachment is based on the understanding that existence is transient, impermanent.  The solution is to live in the moment, so that one does not worry about the past and the future.  It is detachment from the past and the future.

This concept of detachment is cited extensively in Puranic and Vedic literature.  The Bhagavad Gita states, for example, "One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus is untouched by water."

In Buddhist and Vedantist texts alike the opposite of detachment is upādāna, translated, as seen in the previous quote, as "attachment."  Attachment is the reluctance or inability to practice detachment, and is considered the primary obstacle to a serene and fulfilled life.