The Human Condition Dukkha

Learning Intention: We will learn about the impact of Dukkha on the human condition.

Dukkha (KU) The Buddhist teaching that we all suffer It is one of the Three Marks of Existence/ Three Universal Truths (which are the description of the Human Condition) It is the First Noble Truth – these explain what causes suffering and how to stop it Different levels of suffering – sliding scale from petty frustrations to major disaster

Ordinary suffering – obvious forms e. g Ordinary suffering – obvious forms e.g. giving birth, being born, old age, illness, disease and dying. Suffering of change – many types of distress and anxiety that result from changes in our life situation. Being separated from the pleasant = dukkha; being in the company of the unpleasant = dukkha e.g. marriage break ups, divorce, bereavement, losing one’s job, moving house

Cycle of consumerism- boredom, desire, likes and dislikes Suffering of conditioned existence: anxiety from sense of insecurity, unloved, limitations, powerlessness to control own life

Suffering because of anicca –nothing gives lasting satisfaction, pleasures don’t last Suffering because of anatta – human limitations because of our conditioned existence – ‘angst’ (eg separation from pleasant= dukkha, company of unpleasant = dukkha)

The three Root Poisons/Fires lead to suffering – greed, hatred and ignorance, and so samsaric rebirth The wheel of samsara is suffering – constant life, death and rebirth, but escape comes through following the Eightfold Path

Dukkha (AE) Is dukkha an accurate concept? Does it portray the human condition well/successfully? Does accepting it bring benefits or difficulties?

Positive/benefits etc It’s true - we all encounter old age, sickness and death! (parable of Kisagotami) We can see the truth that the illusions of permanence (anicca) and self (anatta) lead to craving (tanha) and so to dukkha and constant samsaric rebirth The Buddha taught that if we accept the truth of dukkha we can do something about it – see the other three of the Four Noble Truths! The Buddha was like a doctor, but we have to take the medicine to be healed!

Understanding that others suffer too, can lead to compassion cf Kisagotami Become less selfish -> less suffering Change attitude-> less suffering If we realise we suffer because we crave, can help to stop this through meditation

Negative/difficulties Depressing view of life! Surely the good things in life outweigh the bad. Hard to think of the three fires tying us continually to the wheel of Samsara– we know it’s true, but to change greed to generosity, hatred to compassion, or ignorance to wisdom, can be daunting ! Impermanence means that suffering will not last forever, so why worry?

Suffering is a fact of life – can lead us into the belief that the world’s problems are just too big to take any action Why aim for better samsaric rebirth if it will just lead to more suffering in the next life anyway? For some Buddhists the idea of Nirvana/Nibbana is a far off ideal – what hope is there?