Via Dhamma Wheel | Right View: Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering

 

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RIGHT VIEW Understanding the Noble Truth of Suffering When people have met with suffering and become victims of suffering, they come to me and ask me about the noble truth of suffering. Being asked, I explain to them the noble truth of suffering. (MN 77) What is suffering? (MN 9)

Reflection We often hear it said that the Buddha pronounced that “life is suffering,” but he never actually used such words. As he describes here, people encounter suffering themselves and come to him for help in understanding and alleviating it. What he tells them is that any experience driven by craving or aversion will result in the arising of suffering, and every time you are able to abandon that craving your suffering will subside. Daily Practice The noble truth of suffering recognizes that some things just hurt, both physically and mentally. Other things are psychologically painful, particularly when we don’t get what we want or have to deal with what we don’t want. There is also a subtle existential suffering that comes from the conditioned and fragile nature of all things. See if you can discern all three of these levels of suffering in your own lived experience. Tomorrow: Cultivating Lovingkindness One week from today: Understanding the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering Share your thoughts and join the conversation on social media #DhammaWheel Questions? Visit the Dhamma Wheel orientation page.

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