When Lord Buddha spoke about suffering, he wasn't referring simply to superficial problems like illness and injury, but to the fact that the dissatisfied nature of the mind itself is suffering. No matter how much of something you get, it never satisfies your desire for better or more. This unceasing desire is suffering; its nature is emotional frustration.
Suffering is the basic lot of mankind. The only way to end suffering is by purifying the mind. The individual creates his own suffering and it is he alone who can end it.
It is not the eye, nor the ear, which hold us bound to the wheel of suffering, nor is it the things perceived by the eye, or the ear. It is the desire of the one for the other that is the fetter. If the eye and the ear are not attached to things seen and heard, then there is no sorrow or suffering.
Suffering arises from desiring, wanting and craving. One escape from the burden of suffering when one is liberated from your self and its desires.
Suffering follows the evil act as the wheel of the cart follows the foot of the ox that draws it.
Source Unknown
6 comments:
Very enlightening, Vincent!!! Thanks!
Although I've read this before many many times, but each time is different, with more understanding.
Also, I forgot to tell you that I steal quotes from your blog to post on facebook :-) Hope you don't mind.
Hi Vincent, I've never quite understood the attitude of buddhism towards suffering. It seems to me that suffering is part of life and has to be accepted as such. I don't see that it's necessarily good to try to escape from suffering.
Regards, Belinda
Hi Belinda,
Yes, suffering is part and parcel of life and has to be accepted as such. However, if you understand why you are suffering and what causes you to suffer, there is likelihood that you can put an end to the suffering. Isn't that better?
The other thing is - don't take the meaning of the wording 'suffering' literally. In Buddhism, the word goes deeper. Bear in mind that the original Buddhist texts were in Pali and the translators probably find the English word 'suffering' closes to the word 'Dukka' (not sure of the spelling) in Pali. This is an example of the litmitation of languages.
Cheers,
Vincent
Hi Carla,
What you said is very true. As we grow older AND wiser, our understanding and perception also improve. So, every time we re-read something, we understand more.
Please feel free to 'steal' anything that is of interest to you. :-)
Cheers,
Vincent
Hi Vincent,
I hope I got your name correctly. I do not think any one has explained sufferning so simply as you have done.
Keep up the good work.
Regards
Nitin
Hi Nitin,
Yes, my friends call me Vincent.:-)
Thanks for dropping by and for your comment. It is much appreciated.
Cheers,
Vincent
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