Difference between revisions of "The Cessation of Suffering is Attainable"
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− | THE THIRD NOBLE TRUTH: The '''cessation of suffering''' is attainable. | + | THE THIRD NOBLE TRUTH: The '''[[cessation of suffering]]''' is attainable. |
− | The [[cessation]] of [[suffering]] can be attained through practice. We practice the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. Our practice extinguishes all forms of clinging and [[attachment]]. This means that [[suffering]] can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of [[suffering]]. Attaining and perfecting detachment is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of [[Nirvana]]. [[Nirvana]] means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. [[Nirvana]] is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it. | + | The [[cessation]] of [[suffering]] can be attained through practice. We practice the unmaking of sensual [[craving]] and {{Wiki|conceptual}} [[attachment]]. Our practice extinguishes all [[forms]] of [[clinging]] and [[attachment]]. This means that [[suffering]] can be overcome through [[human]] [[activity]], simply by removing the [[cause]] of [[suffering]]. Attaining and perfecting [[detachment]] is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of [[Nirvana]]. [[Nirvana]] means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, [[fabrications]] and ideas. [[Nirvana]] is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it. |
− | There is an old story of a turtle and a fish. The turtle lived on land as well as in the water while the fish only lived in the water. One day, when the turtle had returned from a visit to the land, he told the fish of his experiences. He explained that creatures walked rather than swam. The fish refused to believe that dry land really existed because that was something beyond his own experience. In the same way, people may not have experienced the end of suffering, but it does not mean that the end of suffering is not possible. | + | There is an old story of a [[turtle]] and a fish. The [[turtle]] lived on land as well as in the [[water]] while the fish only lived in the [[water]]. One day, when the [[turtle]] had returned from a visit to the land, he told the fish of his [[experiences]]. He explained that creatures walked rather than swam. The fish refused to believe that dry land really existed because that was something beyond his own [[experience]]. In the same way, [[people]] may not have [[experienced]] the end of [[suffering]], but it does not mean that the end of [[suffering]] is not possible. |
− | A patient must have confidence in an experienced doctor, otherwise he will never take the medicine that the doctor has prescribed for him and will not be cured of his sickness. Similarly, people must have confidence in the Teaching of the [[Buddha]], who has shown that end of suffering is really possible. | + | A patient must have [[confidence]] in an [[experienced]] doctor, otherwise he will never take the [[medicine]] that the doctor has prescribed for him and will not be cured of his [[sickness]]. Similarly, [[people]] must have [[confidence]] in the [[Teaching]] of the [[Buddha]], who has shown that end of [[suffering]] is really possible. |
− | The end of [[suffering]] is the final goal of the [[Buddha]]’s Teaching. It can be experienced by anyone here and now. For example, when greed and anger arise in one’s mind, unhappiness is the result and, when thoughts of [[greed]] and [[anger]] cease, one’s [[mind]] becomes happy and peaceful. To end [[suffering]] completely, one must remove [[desire]], ill will and ignorance. | + | The end of [[suffering]] is the final goal of the [[Buddha]]’s [[Teaching]]. It can be [[experienced]] by anyone here and now. For example, when [[greed]] and [[anger]] arise in one’s [[mind]], [[unhappiness]] is the result and, when [[thoughts]] of [[greed]] and [[anger]] cease, one’s [[mind]] becomes [[happy]] and [[peaceful]]. To end [[suffering]] completely, one must remove [[desire]], ill will and ignorance. |
HAPPINESS | HAPPINESS | ||
− | The [[Buddha]] taught that the end of [[suffering]] is supreme happiness. Every step towards the end of [[suffering]] is accompanied by ever-increasing joy. Those who follow the Teaching of the [[Buddha]] live happily without greed among those who are overwhelmed by desire. They live happily without anger among those who harbor ill will. The more people free themselves from [[desire]], ill will and ignorance, the greater will be their happiness. When they have completely overcome desire, ill will and ignorance, they will know the supreme happiness as experienced by the [[Buddha]]. | + | The [[Buddha]] taught that the end of [[suffering]] is supreme [[happiness]]. Every step towards the end of [[suffering]] is accompanied by ever-increasing [[joy]]. Those who follow the [[Teaching]] of the [[Buddha]] [[live]] happily without [[greed]] among those who are overwhelmed by [[desire]]. They [[live]] happily without [[anger]] among those who harbor ill will. The more [[people]] free themselves from [[desire]], ill will and [[ignorance]], the greater will be their [[happiness]]. When they have completely overcome [[desire]], ill will and [[ignorance]], they will know the supreme [[happiness]] as [[experienced]] by the [[Buddha]]. |
ENLIGHTENMENT | ENLIGHTENMENT | ||
− | By putting the [[Buddha]]’s Teaching into practice, people too can achieve supreme [[Enlightenment]]. <poem>Enlightenment has countless qualities, of which perfect [[wisdom]] and great compassion are the most important. Through perfect wisdom and great compassion, He is able to help countless beings to overcome their [[suffering]]. | + | By putting the [[Buddha]]’s [[Teaching]] into practice, [[people]] too can achieve supreme [[Enlightenment]]. <poem>[[Enlightenment]] has countless qualities, of which perfect [[wisdom]] and [[great compassion]] are the most important. Through perfect [[wisdom]] and [[great compassion]], He is able to help countless [[beings]] to overcome their [[suffering]]. |
EXPERIENCE NIRVANA FOR ONESELF | EXPERIENCE NIRVANA FOR ONESELF | ||
− | The end of [[suffering]] has been described as supreme happiness and [[Enlightenment]]. However, these terms do not fully express the real nature of the end of [[suffering]], or [[Nirvana]]. [[Nirvana]] cannot be exactly put into words. Attempting to describe [[Nirvana]] is like saying that a mango is sweet, and that it is not like a banana or an apple. One has to eat a mango in order to know for oneself what the taste is really like. Similarly [[Nirvana]] has to be experienced for oneself. Therefore, if people have confidence in the [[Buddha]]’s Teaching and put it into practice, they can achieve happiness peace and [[Enlightenment]]. | + | The end of [[suffering]] has been described as supreme [[happiness]] and [[Enlightenment]]. However, these terms do not fully express the {{Wiki|real}} nature of the end of [[suffering]], or [[Nirvana]]. [[Nirvana]] cannot be exactly put into words. Attempting to describe [[Nirvana]] is like saying that a mango is [[sweet]], and that it is not like a banana or an apple. One has to eat a mango in [[order]] to know for oneself what the {{Wiki|taste}} is really like. Similarly [[Nirvana]] has to be [[experienced]] for oneself. Therefore, if [[people]] have [[confidence]] in the [[Buddha]]’s [[Teaching]] and put it into practice, they can achieve [[happiness]] [[peace]] and [[Enlightenment]]. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.zendirt.com/four-noble-truths/the-cessation-of-suffering-is-attainable/ www.zendirt.com] | [http://www.zendirt.com/four-noble-truths/the-cessation-of-suffering-is-attainable/ www.zendirt.com] | ||
[[Category:The third noble truth]] | [[Category:The third noble truth]] | ||
[[Category:Suffering]] | [[Category:Suffering]] |
Revision as of 12:47, 7 September 2013
THE THIRD NOBLE TRUTH: The cessation of suffering is attainable.
The cessation of suffering can be attained through practice. We practice the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. Our practice extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering. Attaining and perfecting detachment is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of Nirvana. Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it.
There is an old story of a turtle and a fish. The turtle lived on land as well as in the water while the fish only lived in the water. One day, when the turtle had returned from a visit to the land, he told the fish of his experiences. He explained that creatures walked rather than swam. The fish refused to believe that dry land really existed because that was something beyond his own experience. In the same way, people may not have experienced the end of suffering, but it does not mean that the end of suffering is not possible.
A patient must have confidence in an experienced doctor, otherwise he will never take the medicine that the doctor has prescribed for him and will not be cured of his sickness. Similarly, people must have confidence in the Teaching of the Buddha, who has shown that end of suffering is really possible.
The end of suffering is the final goal of the Buddha’s Teaching. It can be experienced by anyone here and now. For example, when greed and anger arise in one’s mind, unhappiness is the result and, when thoughts of greed and anger cease, one’s mind becomes happy and peaceful. To end suffering completely, one must remove desire, ill will and ignorance.
HAPPINESS
The Buddha taught that the end of suffering is supreme happiness. Every step towards the end of suffering is accompanied by ever-increasing joy. Those who follow the Teaching of the Buddha live happily without greed among those who are overwhelmed by desire. They live happily without anger among those who harbor ill will. The more people free themselves from desire, ill will and ignorance, the greater will be their happiness. When they have completely overcome desire, ill will and ignorance, they will know the supreme happiness as experienced by the Buddha.
ENLIGHTENMENT
By putting the Buddha’s Teaching into practice, people too can achieve supreme Enlightenment. <poem>Enlightenment has countless qualities, of which perfect wisdom and great compassion are the most important. Through perfect wisdom and great compassion, He is able to help countless beings to overcome their suffering.
EXPERIENCE NIRVANA FOR ONESELF
The end of suffering has been described as supreme happiness and Enlightenment. However, these terms do not fully express the real nature of the end of suffering, or Nirvana. Nirvana cannot be exactly put into words. Attempting to describe Nirvana is like saying that a mango is sweet, and that it is not like a banana or an apple. One has to eat a mango in order to know for oneself what the taste is really like. Similarly Nirvana has to be experienced for oneself. Therefore, if people have confidence in the Buddha’s Teaching and put it into practice, they can achieve happiness peace and Enlightenment.