SOME THOUGHTS ON SUFFERING

 

                SOME THOUGHTS ON SUFFERING

Suffering is the fate of human beings. It is pain, agony, discomfort, disease, distress, hardship, misery, disability, old age, etc.

According to Buddhism the world is a place of suffering. It has its causes but there is also a way to get rid of them through enlightenment which comes through right understanding; right thought; right speech; right action; right livelihood; right effort; right mindfulness; and right concentration.

Subhadra Bhikushu, a follower of Lord Buddha,  has this to say about suffering. To be born is to suffer: to grow old is to suffer; to die is to suffer; to be tied to what is not loved is to suffer. In short, all the results of individuality, of separate self-hood, necessarily involve pain or suffering.

  It is also true that forgiveness is rarely perfect except in the breasts of those who have suffered.

Suffering is a purifier.  It compels the sufferer to introspect; to improve him/her self; to avoid pitfalls; to think of merciful God; to embrace simplicity; to adopt the middle path; to shun vices like greed and gluttony; to avoid hatred and adopt love.

Finally, Suffering can be the greatest blessing if it enlightens you thoroughly.

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G.R.Kanwal

14 March 2024