Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ Beyond Human What do you think about Buddhism concept of suffering?

According to the Buddhist teaching, we live in a world full of suffering. Suffering is cause by the desire for something. Until we can eliminate desire for earthly things, we can break free and achieve nirvana - the state of nothingness.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what's the point of life and the things on the world if everything is an illusion and that we must detach ourself from it to avoid suffering? Does this makes sense to anyone? How about redirected our desire than eliminating it? Is it healthy mentally, physically, and emotionally to let go of our posssesion in hopes of being enlighten?

I can't say I completely understand your questions. I'm not a Buddhist but I have read a little related material. My impression is that life is filled with suffering. That desires feed this concept of suffering.

Only by accepting the universe as it is and not labelling or judging it can you see that there really is no suffering. When you can truly accept things as they are, then you can experience the world at all times. Then you don't suffer from it, you experience the bliss of fully living. You can be filled by the bliss of being without judgement. Without judgment you don't suffer, you don't desire, you just experience. When you can truly do this then you have reached nirvana.

You don't have to give up your possessions, just your desires and your judgementalism.

You are perfection,
Iam2

[This message has been edited by Iam2 (edited October 16, 2003).]

"How about redirected our desire than eliminating it?"

I find that there are two ways about it. Perhaps several more but not any that I know of.

(1) Eliminiate suffering by not having desire. You come to accept the world as it is. You still have preferences but aren't attached to the outcome. You are the little strand of grass that blows in the wind. You like the southern and northern wind but don't mind the others. They don't annoy you. Perhaps they did in the beginning. South n north was so compelling that everything else was hell.

(2) You have come to know that the mind isn't only the painter of the canvas. Sure, it is nice to frame things so that they don't cause you harm. South, north, east, west? You have come to appreciate all tastes. No change yet. But it seems that you have a lot more control of this reality. Desire isn't anything to stop. It is actually the fuel that creates worlds. When there is no resistance or limiting beliefs in your way - manifesting the exterior reality is effortless. After strong feeling comes reality. I think the quote I've taken from you above is in some accord with this thought. I don't know what you think about manifesting or litterally creating your own reality but if you want to find out more:
www.abraham-hicks.com

They offer lots of free mp3-downloads and quarterly journals.

Just to sleepy to make them any favourable impression..

Well, there's always Joseph Campbell and his "follow your bliss". Not the same thing tho but.. = )

Sleeeeeeeeeppp.... = )

Cya!

Tore

addendum:

oh yeah... both these two "different" paths may be nice to walk. I'm sure they can crossbreed and make nice walks of life. Desire may be used to your advantage or you can avoid it entierly.

[This message has been edited by Tore (edited October 15, 2003).]

You might want to look at some of Joseph Campbell's stuff. He has a great perspective on mythology and world religions and how to integrate all that stuff in a very meaningful way.

It's sort of a "life is suffering and isn't it one hell of a ride?" thing.

He puts it way better than I ever could. He really summed up a lot of stuff for me. Tied up a lot of loose ends concerning a whole lot of philosophies. I hope you get the same thing out of him I did.

The Power of Myth and Mythos are two good video series, available at amazon.com.

Nothing is easier in the world than suffering. Being happy takes effort. The problem of suffering has vexed philosophers for centuries.

The teachings of Buddhism are as varied as the denominations and interpretations of Christianity.

According to the Japanese Buddhist reformer, Nichiren, the culmination of Buddha's teachings is found in the Lotus
Sutra... the essence of which teaches the fundamental enlightened state of all beings.
According to Nichiren Buddhism, all of the benefits and wisdom of the Lotus Sutra are contained in the mantra Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Try chanting it for five minutes and see what happens.

See also:
http://www.sgi.org/english/Buddhism/nichiren.htm

Peace,

Robert

I follow the path #1 from Tore's post. In Taoism its called th Wu-Wei principle - living in the moment, or being one with the Tao. My life became much happier after I adopted that attitude: no making plans anymore, no attachments, "forgetfulness of results and abandonments of all hope of profit"; only spontaneous action. Works for me but others may find it totally inacceptible. By the way, in my experience, the more I learn to live this way the less of 'me' there is...

Best wishes,

Nick

Go to the following website, http://shinzen.org, click "Articles" and read the one entitled "Equanimity." I think you'll find it helpful.

I don't know about you guys, but I desire air to breath, water to drink and food to eat. I also desire clothing and a coat when it gets cold out. I may sound silly, but not desiring these items would cause suffering for me.

I think it was one of the religious leaders in history that said "Don't try to fly", meaning don't jump off a cliff or try to do what you can't do. Many translate that idea today to mean don't even fly in an aeroplane, and they connect that with some kind of religious belief.

In Buddhism it is possible that that teaching was to the poor who were possibly oppressed by the system. Wanting out of this system would cause great anguish. Accepting and living gracefully would give a sense of control and bliss.

A mentally healthy person can live happily in wealth or poverty, if there is wealth around or you are capable of creating it, why not? If it's going to cause unreasonable risk, suffering and sacrifice, it would be wise to choose another goal, or another method.

For instance, a person in jail, can they create or enjoy financial wealth if they are in jail for life, it would be painful to try to do so. They should rather start with what they have and build gradually. Desiring unreasonable outcomes does cause disappointment and a sense of poverty. Poverty consciousness can cause one to focus on what they don't have. What you focus on increases - the poverty increases due to unproductive focus.

Focusing on what you do have, and on what you can do, causes gratefulness, and prosperity consciousness. Prosperity increases due to productive focus.

If you're already living in wealth there is no need to all of a sudden and piously try to think that you will gain something by deciding you don't want what you've got. Appreciate what you've got and build gradually.

Kind Regards
Grant