Dhamma Letter No. 15
Some bemoan Buddhism’s persistent emphasis on dukkha, lamenting what they feel is a negative and bleak worldly perspective. Yes, we all desire happiness and endeavor to find it in a positive and optimistic manner. However, there is a phrase: no pain, no gain! In order for our consciousness to mature, we have to face the world as it is.
Dhamma Letter No. 14 discussed the eight dukkhas, universal sufferings, as outlined by the Buddha. One must first accept whichever sufferings they experience. Upon acceptance, they can begin to understand their dukkha, which is overcome only by knowing and seeing it as it truly is.
The Four Noble Truths
The Buddha enlightened to The Four Noble Truths.
The Four Noble Truths, and thus our practice, begin with knowing dukkha.
The Buddha taught The Four Noble Truths are the means by which we are freed from dukkha. The Four Noble Truths are the following:
Dukkha - the existence of stress and suffering
Its origination - the causes of dukkha
Its cessation - dukkha can be extinguished.
The path leading to its cessation - The Noble Eightfold Path is the method by which dukkha is extinguished.
In this very life, we begin on the path with small steps of beneficial actions of the body, speech, and mind directed to oneself and all other beings.
We will continue our discussion of dukkha in Dhamma Letter No. 16.
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.
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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 !