About 2500 years ago, the Buddha awoke by recognizing that all creation is unified by suffering. He discovered how to best approach suffering.
First, one shouldn’t bathe in luxury, nor abstain from food and comforts altogether. Instead, one ought to live in moderation. The Buddha called this ‘the middle way’. This allows for maximal concentration on cultivating compassion for others and seeking enlightenment. Next, the Buddha described a path to transcending suffering called ‘the four noble truths’, which includes:
1) There is suffering and constant dissatisfaction in the world.
2) Suffering is caused by our desires. ‘Attachment is the root of all suffering.’
3) We can transcend suffering by removing or managing these desires. ‘We must change outlook, not circumstances’. We are unhappy not because we don’t have enough money, love and status, but because we are greedy, vain and insecure. By re-orientating our mind, we can grow to be content. We can turn ignorance into wisdom, anger into compassion and greed into generosity.
4) We can move beyond suffering through “the noble eightfold path”, which involves a series of behaving right and wisely: right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration. One must exercise these on a regular basis.
We are all unable to fully comprehend that misfortune, sickness and death will come to us. Buddha’s teachings remind us of the importance of facing suffering directly and recognising that suffering can be viewed as part of our common connection with others.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
1. Are you a Buddhist or intent to become a Buddhist?
2. To what extent do you agree or disagree with Buddha’s teachings?
3. How do understand ‘the middle way’? How to apply this into reality?
4. Einstein once said: ‘Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind’, and ‘Buddhism requires no revision to keep it up to date with recent scientific finding. Buddhism needs no surrender its view to science, because it embraces science as well as goes beyond science.’
How do you understand this saying? Do you agree?
5. How to apply Buddha’s teachings in your daily life?
Prepared by: Ngo Huy Tu
Enjoy and have a fruitful discussion!
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