Dhamma Letter No. 14 begins a series that will focus on three phenomena central to the Buddha’s teachings - dukkha, anatta, and anicca.

Today, we begin with dukkha.

What is Dukkha (Suffering)?

Our study and practice of Buddhism must be informed by the Buddha’s original question. When Gothama Buddha saw an aging, sick, or dying person, he felt in his heart a suffering inherent to life. The Pali term for this suffering is dukkha. One can translate and, in different contexts, describe dukkha as suffering, dissatisfaction, irritation, disturbance, anguish, worry, dejection, loneliness, anxiety, et cetera. The Buddha asked, ‘Why, as human beings, must we endure this suffering? How can one be only happy?’

Buddha described dukkha as eight kinds of universal suffering:

"Now this, monks, is the Noble Truth of dukkha: Birth is dukkha, aging is dukkha, death is dukkha; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, & despair are dukkha; association with the unbeloved is dukkha; separation from the loved is dukkha; not getting what is wanted is dukkha. In short, the five clinging-aggregates are dukkha." — SN 56.11

Some say that life is a ‘blessing’. This is true. Although, while pleasant and optimistic words describing the nature of life may bring temporary bliss, it surely will not last forever.

Without facing and striving to understand the system of our consciousness, we will be unable to truly overcome our present suffering and situation. The more we avoid it, the deeper dukkha will stay in the bottom of heart (kamma). As a vipassana meditator, we have to face it and eliminate dukkha from our lives.

We will continue our discussion of dukkha next week in Dhamma Letter No. 15.

May you be free from any physical suffering!
May you be free from any mental suffering!
May you be well and happy!

With Metta,

Ayyā Kosallā
Edited by Max Montgomery 

If you have any questions related to dhamma & meditation, please feel free to ask. You can reach Ayya Kosalla directly at Bhikkhuni.Kosalla@gmail.com. 

법에 대한 질문이 있으신 분은 위의 이메일 주소로 질문을 남겨주세요.

위빠사나명상의 마음관찰에 대한 논문을 한글 원본으로 읽고 싶으신 분은 클릭해서 다운로드 받을 수 있습니다. (네이버에 PDF 첨부)

The Korean Dhamma Letter is here 담마레터.

Bhikkuni Kosalla Vipassini resides in Mahabodhi Meditation Vihara in Arizona, USA. Donations are gratefully accepted, whether you provide needed requisites for the monastic, or offer funds. If you are inspired to donate, you may do so.

Mahabodhi Meditation Vihara: P.O. Box 27611 Scottsdale, AZ 85255-9998 Contact: mahabmedi@gmail.com

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Buddha Sāsanaṁ Ciraṁ Tiṭṭhatu! 
May the Buddha’s teachings last a long time!

​Bhavatu Sabba Sotiṁ ca Maṅgalaṁ ca!!  
May everyone be led on the path of peace and blessing!!

Sādhu Sādhu Sādhu !