Difference between revisions of "The first noble truth"
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| − | What is the [[Noble]] [[Truth]] of [[Suffering]]? Birth is [[Suffering]], aging is [[Suffering]], sickness is [[Suffering]], dissociation from the loved is [[Suffering]], not to get what one wants is [[Suffering]]: in short the five categories affected by clinging are [[Suffering]]. | + | What is the [[Noble]] [[Truth]] of [[Suffering]]? [[Birth]] is [[Suffering]], [[aging]] is [[Suffering]], [[sickness]] is [[Suffering]], dissociation from the loved is [[Suffering]], not to get what one wants is [[Suffering]]: in short the five categories affected by [[clinging]] are [[Suffering]]. |
| − | There is this [[Noble]] [[Truth]] of [[Suffering]]: such was the vision, [[Insight]], [[Wisdom]], knowing and [[Light]] that arose in me about things not heard before. | + | There is this [[Noble]] [[Truth]] of [[Suffering]]: such was the [[vision]], [[Insight]], [[Wisdom]], [[knowing]] and [[Light]] that arose in me about things not heard before. |
| − | This [[Noble]] [[Truth]] must be penetrated by fully understanding [[Suffering]]: such was the vision, [[Insight]], [[Wisdom]], knowing and [[Light]] that arose in me about things not heard before. | + | This [[Noble]] [[Truth]] must be penetrated by fully [[understanding]] [[Suffering]]: such was the [[vision]], [[Insight]], [[Wisdom]], [[knowing]] and [[Light]] that arose in me about things not heard before. |
| − | This [[Noble]] [[Truth]] has been penetrated by fully understanding [[Suffering]]: such was the vision, [[Insight]], [[Wisdom]], knowing and [[Light]] that arose in me about things not heard before. | + | This [[Noble]] [[Truth]] has been penetrated by fully [[understanding]] [[Suffering]]: such was the [[vision]], [[Insight]], [[Wisdom]], [[knowing]] and [[Light]] that arose in me about things not heard before. |
| − | [Samyutta Nikaya LVI, 11] | + | [[[Samyutta Nikaya]] LVI, 11] |
The First [[Noble]] [[Truth]] with its three aspects is: "There is [[Suffering]], [[Dukkha]]. [[Dukkha]] should be understood. [[Dukkha]] has been understood." | The First [[Noble]] [[Truth]] with its three aspects is: "There is [[Suffering]], [[Dukkha]]. [[Dukkha]] should be understood. [[Dukkha]] has been understood." | ||
| − | This is a very skilful teaching because it is expressed in a simple formula which is easy to remember, and it also applies to everything that you can possibly experience or do or think concerning the past, the present or the future. | + | This is a very [[skilful]] [[teaching]] because it is expressed in a simple [[formula]] which is easy to remember, and it also applies to everything that you can possibly [[experience]] or do or think concerning the {{Wiki|past}}, the {{Wiki|present}} or the {{Wiki|future}}. |
| − | [[Suffering]] or [[Dukkha]] is the common bond we all share. Everybody everywhere suffers. Human beings suffered in the past, in ancient [[India]]; they suffer in modern Britain; and in the future, human beings will also suffer. What do we have in common with Queen Elizabeth? - we suffer. With a tramp in Charing Cross, what do we have in common? - [[Suffering]]. It includes all levels from the most privileged human beings to the most desperate and underprivileged ones, and all ranges in between. Everybody everywhere suffers. It is a bond we have with each other, something we all understand. | + | [[Suffering]] or [[Dukkha]] is the common bond we all share. Everybody everywhere [[suffers]]. [[Human beings]] [[suffered]] in the {{Wiki|past}}, in {{Wiki|ancient}} [[India]]; they [[suffer]] in {{Wiki|modern}} {{Wiki|Britain}}; and in the {{Wiki|future}}, [[human beings]] will also [[suffer]]. What do we have in common with [[Queen]] Elizabeth? - we [[suffer]]. With a tramp in Charing Cross, what do we have in common? - [[Suffering]]. It includes all levels from the most privileged [[human beings]] to the most desperate and underprivileged ones, and all ranges in between. Everybody everywhere [[suffers]]. It is a bond we have with each other, something we all understand. |
| − | When we talk about our human [[Suffering]], it brings out our compassionate tendencies. But when we talk about our opinions, about what I think and what you think about politics and [[Religion]], then we can get into wars. I remember seeing a film in London about ten years ago. It tried to portray Russian people as human beings by showing Russian women with babies and Russian men taking their children out for picnics. At the time, this presentation of the Russian people was unusual because most of the propaganda of the West made them out to be titanic monsters or cold-hearted, reptilian people - and so you never [[Thought]] of them as human beings. If you want to kill people, you have to make them out to be that way; you cannot very well kill somebody if you realise they suffer the way you do. You have to think that they are cold-hearted, immoral, worthless and bad, and that it is better to get rid of them. You have to think that they are [[Evil]] and that it is good to get rid of [[Evil]]. With this attitude, you might feel justified in bombing and machine-gunning them. If you keep in [[Mind]] our common bond of [[Suffering]], that makes you quite incapable of doing those things. | + | When we talk about our [[human]] [[Suffering]], it brings out our [[compassionate]] {{Wiki|tendencies}}. But when we talk about our opinions, about what I think and what you think about politics and [[Religion]], then we can get into wars. I remember [[seeing]] a film in {{Wiki|London}} about ten years ago. It tried to portray {{Wiki|Russian}} [[people]] as [[human beings]] by showing {{Wiki|Russian}} women with babies and {{Wiki|Russian}} men taking their children out for picnics. At the [[time]], this presentation of the {{Wiki|Russian}} [[people]] was unusual because most of the {{Wiki|propaganda}} of the [[West]] made them out to be titanic monsters or cold-hearted, reptilian [[people]] - and so you never [[Thought]] of them as [[human beings]]. If you want to kill [[people]], you have to make them out to be that way; you cannot very well kill somebody if you realise they [[suffer]] the way you do. You have to think that they are cold-hearted, [[immoral]], worthless and bad, and that it is better to get rid of them. You have to think that they are [[Evil]] and that it is good to get rid of [[Evil]]. With this [[attitude]], you might [[feel]] justified in bombing and machine-gunning them. If you keep in [[Mind]] our common bond of [[Suffering]], that makes you quite incapable of doing those things. |
| − | first [[Noble]] [[Truth]] is not a dismal metaphysical statement saying that everything is [[Suffering]]. Notice that there is a difference between a metaphysical [[Doctrine]] in which you are making a statement about The Absolute and a [[Noble]] [[Truth]] which is a reflection. A [[Noble]] [[Truth]] is a [[Truth]] to reflect upon; it is not an absolute; it is not The Absolute. This is where Western people get very confused because they interpret this [[Noble]] [[Truth]] as a kind of metaphysical [[Truth]] of [[Buddhism]] - but it was never meant to be that. | + | first [[Noble]] [[Truth]] is not a dismal [[metaphysical]] statement saying that everything is [[Suffering]]. Notice that there is a difference between a [[metaphysical]] [[Doctrine]] in which you are making a statement about The [[Absolute]] and a [[Noble]] [[Truth]] which is a {{Wiki|reflection}}. A [[Noble]] [[Truth]] is a [[Truth]] to reflect upon; it is not an [[absolute]]; it is not The [[Absolute]]. This is where {{Wiki|Western}} [[people]] get very confused because they interpret this [[Noble]] [[Truth]] as a kind of [[metaphysical]] [[Truth]] of [[Buddhism]] - but it was never meant to be that. |
| − | You can see that the First [[Noble]] [[Truth]] is not an absolute statement because of the Fourth [[Noble]] [[Truth]], which is the way of non-[[Suffering]]. You cannot have absolute [[Suffering]] and then have a way out of it, can you? That doesn’t make sense. Yet some people will pick up on the First [[Noble]] [[Truth]] and say that The [[Buddha]] taught that everything is [[Suffering]]. | + | You can see that the First [[Noble]] [[Truth]] is not an [[absolute]] statement because of the Fourth [[Noble]] [[Truth]], which is the way of non-[[Suffering]]. You cannot have [[absolute]] [[Suffering]] and then have a way out of it, can you? That doesn’t make [[sense]]. Yet some [[people]] will pick up on the First [[Noble]] [[Truth]] and say that The [[Buddha]] taught that everything is [[Suffering]]. |
| − | The [[Pali]] word, [[Dukkha]], means "incapable of satisfying" or "not able to bear or withstand anything": always changing, incapable of truly fulfilling us or making us happy. The sensual [[World]] is like that, a vibration in nature. It would, in fact, be terrible if we did find satisfaction in the sensory [[World]] because then we wouldn’t search beyond it; we’d just be bound to it. However, as we awaken to this [[Dukkha]], we begin to find the way out so that we are no longer constantly trapped in sensory [[Consciousness]]. | + | The [[Pali]] [[word]], [[Dukkha]], means "incapable of satisfying" or "not able to bear or withstand anything": always changing, incapable of truly fulfilling us or making us [[happy]]. The {{Wiki|sensual}} [[World]] is like that, a vibration in [[nature]]. It would, in fact, be terrible if we did find [[satisfaction]] in the sensory [[World]] because then we wouldn’t search beyond it; we’d just be bound to it. However, as we [[awaken]] to this [[Dukkha]], we begin to find the way out so that we are no longer constantly trapped in sensory [[Consciousness]]. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble4.htm www.buddhanet.net] | [http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble4.htm www.buddhanet.net] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
[[Category:The first noble truth]] | [[Category:The first noble truth]] | ||
Revision as of 06:20, 28 March 2014
What is the Noble Truth of Suffering? Birth is Suffering, aging is Suffering, sickness is Suffering, dissociation from the loved is Suffering, not to get what one wants is Suffering: in short the five categories affected by clinging are Suffering.
There is this Noble Truth of Suffering: such was the vision, Insight, Wisdom, knowing and Light that arose in me about things not heard before.
This Noble Truth must be penetrated by fully understanding Suffering: such was the vision, Insight, Wisdom, knowing and Light that arose in me about things not heard before.
This Noble Truth has been penetrated by fully understanding Suffering: such was the vision, Insight, Wisdom, knowing and Light that arose in me about things not heard before.
[[[Samyutta Nikaya]] LVI, 11]
The First Noble Truth with its three aspects is: "There is Suffering, Dukkha. Dukkha should be understood. Dukkha has been understood."
This is a very skilful teaching because it is expressed in a simple formula which is easy to remember, and it also applies to everything that you can possibly experience or do or think concerning the past, the present or the future.
Suffering or Dukkha is the common bond we all share. Everybody everywhere suffers. Human beings suffered in the past, in ancient India; they suffer in modern Britain; and in the future, human beings will also suffer. What do we have in common with Queen Elizabeth? - we suffer. With a tramp in Charing Cross, what do we have in common? - Suffering. It includes all levels from the most privileged human beings to the most desperate and underprivileged ones, and all ranges in between. Everybody everywhere suffers. It is a bond we have with each other, something we all understand.
When we talk about our human Suffering, it brings out our compassionate tendencies. But when we talk about our opinions, about what I think and what you think about politics and Religion, then we can get into wars. I remember seeing a film in London about ten years ago. It tried to portray Russian people as human beings by showing Russian women with babies and Russian men taking their children out for picnics. At the time, this presentation of the Russian people was unusual because most of the propaganda of the West made them out to be titanic monsters or cold-hearted, reptilian people - and so you never Thought of them as human beings. If you want to kill people, you have to make them out to be that way; you cannot very well kill somebody if you realise they suffer the way you do. You have to think that they are cold-hearted, immoral, worthless and bad, and that it is better to get rid of them. You have to think that they are Evil and that it is good to get rid of Evil. With this attitude, you might feel justified in bombing and machine-gunning them. If you keep in Mind our common bond of Suffering, that makes you quite incapable of doing those things. first Noble Truth is not a dismal metaphysical statement saying that everything is Suffering. Notice that there is a difference between a metaphysical Doctrine in which you are making a statement about The Absolute and a Noble Truth which is a reflection. A Noble Truth is a Truth to reflect upon; it is not an absolute; it is not The Absolute. This is where Western people get very confused because they interpret this Noble Truth as a kind of metaphysical Truth of Buddhism - but it was never meant to be that.
You can see that the First Noble Truth is not an absolute statement because of the Fourth Noble Truth, which is the way of non-Suffering. You cannot have absolute Suffering and then have a way out of it, can you? That doesn’t make sense. Yet some people will pick up on the First Noble Truth and say that The Buddha taught that everything is Suffering.
The Pali word, Dukkha, means "incapable of satisfying" or "not able to bear or withstand anything": always changing, incapable of truly fulfilling us or making us happy. The sensual World is like that, a vibration in nature. It would, in fact, be terrible if we did find satisfaction in the sensory World because then we wouldn’t search beyond it; we’d just be bound to it. However, as we awaken to this Dukkha, we begin to find the way out so that we are no longer constantly trapped in sensory Consciousness.
