2006-09-25 04:44:39 · 39 answers · asked by sotu 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
A clouded mind. Much suffering is inflicted on self and others as a result of false beliefs, whether those beliefs be religious in nature, deceptively optimistic, or a reflection of one's own delusions of self-importance (these delusions apply to those who behave selfishly and/or are obsessed with their own self-evaluations).
Being able to think clearly resolves that suffering. One can then act in accordance with what is needed or surrender to that which is out of individual control.
2006-09-25 05:07:07 · answer #1 · answered by j14456um 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Ignorance. As explained by the buddhist philosophy.
If you delve into buddhist philosophy you will find why many open minded theologians have endorsed it as the premiere system of thought. Unlike many religions that are confined by their dogma buddhism has always expounded the merits of logic and reason.
Ask any intellectual who has had a conversation with the likes of the Dalai Lama and they will tell you buddhism has a fresh, unique way of exploring and solving the questions that every human in the world (regardless of culture) asks sooner or later.
Buddhists long ago discovered the unchecked lust for money, power, greed, and the suffering these are capable of creating is due to a faulty sense of logic. Namely, "if I have this, this and this I will be happy, whole, avenged" etc; They discovered that this supposition is caused by an underlying ignorance concerning the way the universe functions.
I can go on but I recommend you go to google or amazon and check the resources in the results. You won't be disappointed.
P.S. I'm not a buddhist.
2006-09-25 05:30:19 · answer #2 · answered by crazyninjadudeguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have noticed that the times that I've felt most at peace, and have really been at my best, are the times that I've "had the rug pulled out from under me"
What I mean by this is, the times that I've run into misfortunes that left me broke, or depressed, or hurt in some way. It's been my experience that any time that this sort of thing has happened to me, it forces me to concentrate on the small things in my life, such as how to make Ramen noodles taste different than they did yesterday :)
But I've found that concentrating on my immediate environment, and the basics of life, makes me a much more effective and happy person. But I, like anyone else, can get distracted by money, entertainment, relationships, politics, religion, etc. I've found that when I'm rolling, I have a tendency to be confused by all the things at my disposal. Having experienced both sides of the misery spectrum several times, I now make it a point to always remember the "little" things. If you have a great steak in a restaurant, understand and value just how lucky you are to have it. Compare it to the time you ate Ramen noodles for 2 weeks, and had to scrape together change to afford it, etc...
I find that if you always remain humble, and never forget just how lucky you are to have what you have... you will never be miserable.
2006-09-25 05:00:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our physical body is the center of all human suffering. We have no choice but to suffer in this form since this is where all our needs come from. If we were just spirits, I imagine we could end our suffering with just a thought.
2006-09-25 05:12:28 · answer #4 · answered by Wait a Minute 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Humans!
2006-09-25 04:47:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mans sinful nature. Those who suggest religion haven't thought it through. How do they account for Hitler and the communist wars that killed millions. These were not religious based wars. Also some people try to assert religion into a land grab to make it sound justifiable. More often it's not about religion but a land grab.
2006-09-25 05:30:51 · answer #6 · answered by Edward J 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The "I" or the Self in you and me is the center of all human sufferings. The "I" is always the one suffering from not knowing what is true in life.
2006-09-25 10:37:24 · answer #7 · answered by ol's one 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Desire, tension between the sexes and ignorance.
Like fire, desire is good. But desire also ignites all '7 deadly sins'.
As for ignorance...Little knowledge is dangerous, but no knowledge at all is absolutely lethal!
As for the sexual tension between the sexes… Accuse me of being Freudian, but you cannot deny that a frustrated man and a frustrated woman can be the cause of unfathomable evil!
2006-09-25 05:03:31 · answer #8 · answered by Yahoo user 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poverty and greed of those who feel that they have no social responsibility to help end human suffering.
2006-09-25 07:45:26 · answer #9 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absence of a benevolent Higher Power in their lives.
2006-09-25 16:36:39 · answer #10 · answered by concernedjean 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋