It’s not about faith. Or belief. For me at least.
It’s about acceptance. I don’t have faith in gravity. I don’t believe in gravity. That force exists whether I believe or have faith in it. I can use my rational, logical mind to conduct experiments, read scientific papers, to prove gravity to me, but there’s nothing to prove. Gravity is just there.
It’s about acceptance of bigger things. Whatever you want to call it. But it’s there. After a while, it’s like being skeptical about the moon.
Versus seeing the moon, and appreciating the beauty of it.
Life is suffering is a delusion. In the context of the four noble truths, this subtle wording “life is suffering” aligns this dharma with Western culture, and especially aspects of American culture, especially the idea that suffering is a natural state, and that people must suffer because it’s a condition of life.
Suffering exists on the surface sounds like the same thing, but it’s rooted in the acceptance of reality. Suffering is real. People suffer, as do animals, maybe all living things.
But the suffering is a state, not endless.
Suffering exists. Dukha.
And the dharma of the four noble truths says that suffering exists due to samudaya. This word has so many aspects to it. But samudaya is unease about life. That this life is transient. That life is always in motion. Cling too much to the taste of an orange, and you’ll suffer when the taste of the orange is gone.
Do you feel gratitude for this moment? For anything? Chatvariaaryasatyani.
Chatvariaaryasatyani – four truths
– Dukha – suffering exists.
– Samudaya – (because we) want permanence.
– Nirohda – (but you can) release this.
– Marga – (by following) the eightfold path.
Marga
– Samma Dithi – see everything
– Samma Sankappa – think clearly
– Samma Vacca – speak purely
– Samma Kamanta – do good
– Samma Ajiva – work cleanly
– Samma Vayama – be ethical
– Samma Sati – be present
– Samma Samadhi – be whole
I understand.
Life isn’t suffering. Life is life.
Suffering exists.
Suffering is impermanent.
Life is impermanent.
Enjoy the moment.