Answer: The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha) refers to the fact of suffering. The universe is governed by many laws and principles related to physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and other fields. However, when it comes to sentient beings, those with consciousness, all inevitably face the harsh fact that all beings suffer in one way or another.
We might feel that we are okay and not sense any suffering, much like an ant foraging for food, a fish swimming in the water, or a worm burrowing underground, all seemingly without suffering. This is because we have become accustomed to suffering, accepting it as part of life and enduring it to survive. However, those in the higher realm can see our suffering, just as we see insects and animals struggling to survive and feel compassion for them.
The Enlightened Ones, such as the Arahants who have achieved absolute liberation, see clearly that all beings struggle and suffer, constantly striving to live, just to eventually die, which seems ultimately meaningless. If someone has a virtuous heart and lives selflessly, serving and caring for others, even though their life is still suffering, it carries more meaning. Conversely, those who live selfishly only add to their suffering.
The Buddha summarized suffering into eight types:
- The suffering of unfulfilled desires: Beings continually seek but never fully attain their wishes.
- The suffering of separation from loved ones: We are parted from the people or things we love since nothing in this world stays together forever.
- The suffering of encountering the unpleasant: Annoying and hated things follow us persistently.
- The suffering of birth: Life itself is a difficult journey.
- The suffering of ageing: The decay and decline caused by ageing are challenging.
- The suffering of illness: Physical ailments cause numerous troubles that no one can avoid.
- The suffering of death: The end of life brings pain, loss, separation, and regret.
- The suffering of mental disturbance: Mental turmoil is extremely distressing.
Occasionally, we may experience success and good luck, making us feel happy. These fleeting joys are the good karmic results of our past virtuous deeds. But when the blessing runs out, suffering returns. Continuously doing good deeds can prevent suffering but does not eliminate its root cause. Only by practicing the path towards liberation as taught by the Buddha can we completely eradicate the root of suffering.
Our brains are inherently inclined toward sadness, but due to the merit we have, our brain cells secrete dopamine to mask this sadness. When they stop secreting dopamine, we will fall into inescapable sadness or depression.
Our body is naturally inclined to pain, as muscles and joints constantly exert pressure on each other, causing discomfort. Due to our merit, the body’s cells secrete endorphins to mask the pain. Without merit, endorphins cease being produced, then the body becomes filled with pain.
The suffering of sentient beings is endless, reflecting the nature of life itself.
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