W
Within Buddhism there are three large schools in Asia, they then have sects within. They deal with desires differently.
The saffron robed monks of Thailand, Sri Lanka and Burma (Myanmar) and other parts are Theravada. They abstain from the five root afflictions aka Kleshas, which are Desire, Aversion, Ignorance, Pride & Jealousy. The first three are even more inner core. From combining different magnitude of these 5 Root Kleshas, the 84,000 spectrum of all other human emotions are generated.
In China, Japan, Korea, and parts of south east Asia they follow the Mahayana school of Buddhism. The Mahayana accept Theravada but believe the true teaching went beyond it into Mahayana. They believe the answer is not just taking vows to abstain from Kelshas/afflictive emotions. But to see everything including afflictions as emptiness. And engage in Bodhisatva vows as actions, basically trying to benefit sentient beings, people animals etc. This kindness is called Bodhicitta.
In Tibet, Bhutan, Mongolia and minority parts of Himalayan countries like Nepal and India and even small parts of Russia, they practice Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism. They accept Theravada and Mahayana but believe to have gone beyond them both as the true intent of the Buddha. They accept vows, abstinence, emptiness of all phenomena and intending to do good for all as ways to deal with afflictions. But they believe their philosophy, originally from ancient India, and also their complex multi layer tantric lineage practices means you deal with afflictions. By working with them. Basically Transforming afflictions, not just avoiding them or ignoring them or seeing them as empty, which are also good tools. They call this transforming the poisons into wisdoms. Just like a poisonous plant is transformed into medicine.
The three schools agree and disagree with each other on many points and often have inter-faith conferences and joint ceremonies in Bodhgaya in India where the Buddha was enlightened. But regarding the root 3 or 5 or all afflictions/Kleshas, as in some other doctrines, you get different definitions and remedies, depending who you talk to. And each says, ours is the correct view of these in Buddhism. That's how this cookie crumbles.
