RIGHT VIEW
Understanding the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
|
What is the cessation of
suffering? It is the remainderless fading away and ceasing, the giving
up, relinquishing, letting go, and rejecting of craving. (MN 9)
When one knows and sees material form as it actually is, then one is not
attached to material form. When one abides unattached, one is not
infatuated, and one’s craving is abandoned. One’s bodily and mental
troubles are abandoned, and one experiences bodily and mental
well-being. (MN 149)
|
|
|
|
We live in a
material world, and contact with material things makes up a great deal
of our experience. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The issue is
whether we allow ourselves to become infatuated with these things, or if
instead we are able to “abide unattached” as we make use of them.
Knowing ultimately that material objects are impermanent and will change
frees us from the suffering attachment to them can bring.
|
|
|
Notice that you
suffer in direct proportion to the amount of attachment you have to a
material object. If something you care little about gets damaged, it is
no big deal, right? But if something precious to you breaks, it can be
the cause of great distress. Practice reminding yourself of everything
you touch, This is fragile; it cannot last; it will pass away eventually. That sounds depressing, but it can be liberating.
|
|
Tomorrow: Cultivating Appreciative Joy
One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering
Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media
#DhammaWheel
Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.
