Suffering: A Buddhist Idea

SUFFERING : A BUDDHIST IDEA

INTRODUCTION ABOUT THE TOPIC : SUFFERING : A BUDDHIST IDEA

a) The Noble Truth of Dukkha or Suffering (Dukkha Sacca)

b) The Noble Truth of the Origin of Dukkha (Dukkha Samudaya Sacca)

c) The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Dukkha (Dukkha Nirodha Sacca)

d) The Noble Truth of the Path leading to the Cessation of Dukkha

(Dukkha Nirodha Magga Sacca)

"Now, this, Bhikkhus, is the noble truth of Suffering, birth is suffering, decay is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering, association with those we dislike is suffering, separation from those we like is suffering, not to get what one wants is suffering, in short, all the five aggregates of attachment are suffering".

SUFFERING : A BUDDHIST IDEA

We can recognize here three kinds of suffering:

1. Birth, old (decay), illness and death are physical sufferings

2. Association with those we dislike is suffering, separation from those we like is suffering, not to get what one wants is suffering, the second kind. of suffering called mental suffering.

3. The five fold clinging to existence i.e rupa -physical, vedana - feeling, sanjna sankhara - perception and vijnana - consciousness which constitute our personality represent the essential form of suffering. During our lifetime, we have to endure physical suffering such as pain, sickness, tiredness, old age, and eventually death; and we have to endure psychological suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, and depression.

II.1. Detailed explanation

II.1.1 birth (Jati) is suffering

The Birth is the basis for later appearance of physical and mental suffering throughout the whole of the ensuing existence, birth is considered as suffering.

II.1.2. Ageing (Jara) is suffering

Ageing means becoming grey-haired, toothless, wrinkled, bent, deaf and poor in eyesight. Because of ageing, there occurs impairment of the sense faculties, weakening of health, loss of youth, strength and good looks. Ageing is the source of physical and mental suffering,

II.1.3. Death (Marana) is suffering

Death is the extinction of the life, which has been in ceaseless operation since the time of birth in a particular existence. But death is not by itself pain or suffering. However, when death comes, we have to abandon the physical body and leave behind our family and friends together with properties. Death, which is the basis for all such physical and mental sufering

II.1.4. Sorrow (Soka) is suffering

Sorrow is the burning in the mind of one affected by the five kinds of misfortune, namely: loss of relatives, destruction of property or possessions, deterioration of health and longevity, lapses in morality and deviation from right view to wrong view.

II.1.5. Lamentation (Parideva) is suffering

Lamentation is wailing by one affected by loss of relatives, property and any other losses or suffering.

II.1.6. Physical pain (Dukkha) is suffering

Bodily pains such as stiffness, aches, soreness, tiredness, itchiness, and feeling hot or cold are suffering.

II.1.7. Mental displeasure (Domanassa) is suffering

It denotes all sorts of mental aversion or displeasure such as worry, anxiety, depression, dislike, hate, fear, misery, etc.

II,1.8. Despair (Upayasa) is suffering

Despair is dejection produced by excessive mental suffering in one affected by loss of loved ones, property and any other losses or suffering

II.1.9. Association with the hateful is suffering

Association with the hateful is meeting with disagreeable beings or undesirable objects. It considered as a cause of mental and physical distress.

II.1.10. Separation from the beloved is suffering

Separation from the beloved is not itself a painful feeling. However when separation takes place, by death or while still alive, from beloved ones or when parted from one’s treasured possessions, mental agony sets in at once. As it promotes various mental afflictions.

II.1.11. Not getting what one desires is suffering

Not getting what one desires is not itself a painful feeling. But the unfulfilled desire often happen in great disappointment, despair, and may even lead to suicide. Suffering also arises out of desire for some unobtainable object such as the desire to be free from suffering.

II.1.12. In short, the Five Aggregates of Clinging are suffering

i) The aggregate of matter or material forms (Rupa-khanda)

ii) The aggregate of feeling (Vedana-khanda)

iii) The aggregate of perception (Sanna-khanda)

iv) The aggregate of volitional activities (Sankhara-khanda)

v) The aggregate of consciousness (Vinnana-khanda)

The five Aggregates of Clinging are intrinsic suffering, suffering due to change and suffering due to conditioning. In short, the five Aggregates of Clinging are the Noble Truth of Suffering.

Suffering is a fact of life. There are four unavoidable physical sufferings; birth, old age, sickness and death. There are also three forms of mental suffering; separation from the people we love; contact with people we dislike and frustration of desires. Happiness is real and comes in many ways, but happiness does not last forever and does not stop suffering.