Do you agree or disagree with the enclosed quote on the Origin of Suffering?

Question

What, now is the Nobel Truth of the Origin of Suffering?

It is craving, which gives rise to fresh rebirth, and, bound up with pleasure and lust, now here, now there, finds ever-fresh delight. But where does this craving arise and take root? Wherever in the world there are delightful and pleasurable things, there this craving rises and takes root. Eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind are delightful and pleasurable: there this craving arises and takes root.

-The Four Nobel Truths (from the Samyutta Nikaya, translated by Nyanatiloka)

Namaste

Peace and Love

Answer 1

It is original sin that causes suffering.

Answer 2

Naturally we agree that there is suffering, an origin to suffering, an end to suffering, and that the Noble Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.

The origin of suffering is craving. From the Samyutta Nikaya I believe that would make it the words of Buddha. I do not wish to nitpick with Buddha, but it is possible to delight in sorrow, to crave suffering, and to delight in depression.

Answer 3

While craving is clearly the source of suffering, this is merely something of which to be aware and is not a prescription for the end of suffering. One does not choose to crave, and therefore cannot choose to not crave.

A deep understanding that the fulfillment of desire cannot end desire because the desires are endless, ends the attempt to continue fulfilling desires in hopes of accomplishing that end.

This is a kind of hopelessness that eventuates in surrender to what is. This is the end of craving. It did not come about by ending the craving, but by realizing the futility of trying to do so.

Seek always the wisdom that leads to surrender. Nothing else is needed but your own undoing.

Answer 4

Another great question from digilook.

For me, it's true.

I recall from my childhood how the kids who would get 'over' excited (emotionally) about things, were the ones who often set themselves up for their emotions being dashed.

Often, when our desires are unrestrained, we can drive ourselves into bond after bond, biting off more than we can chew... until we long for freedom.

These are some of the essence(s) of what the origin of suffering (second noble truth), is / are; where it lies.

Paradoxically, it is through the exertion of desire in the direction of wholesome & skillful qualities of heart & mind, that this desire comes to be uprooted (I hear).

The lines along which that desire is to be channelled, is known as the Noble Eightfold Path.

It involves a gradual ascent, through ethical conduct, mental discipline, and insight wisdom, to arrive at a place where craving & suffering end.

So yes, I guess I do agree. :-)

Answer 5

It strikes me as a profoundly Buddhist sentiment and it really is a noble thought. If I'm not mistaken, isn't the objective to avoid rebirth and thus to end ones suffering? I agree with the sentiment, but disagree with the concept of reincarnation.

Answer 6

Yes, I agree in that although a desire for change can be productive, excessive desire causes suffering.

I think of 'suffering' as the 'dis-ease' that results from wanting things to be different from the way they are. More of this, less of that, when this happens, providing that doesn't happen...

All that 'wishing' distracts us from the good things we have here and now. It also obscures what truly needs to be changed (and the means to achieve this) in the wanting.
.

Answer 7

"Eye, ear, nose, tongue, body and mind are delightful and pleasurable:"---they are only receptors(Gjaanendriyas) according to Saankya Philosophy(of Kapila Muni(extinct)/Eeswara Krishna/ Vigjnaana Bikshu(extant) Hindus/Buddhists/Jains and Sikhs take it as Pramaana(evience)-instead of body it should have been skin(Twak)-But the media (Tanmaatras) are Light-Sound-Smell-taste and touch-using both-the "craving"(Kaamam) arises-Indriya Bogam- that is responsible for birth and rebirth,preventing the soul from attaining Moksha(Union with God)-so Atharva veda says "Kaamah kartha Na Aham kartha-Kaamah ka rahitha-Na Aham ka Rahita"(Rahitha means indulging in enjoyment)--a lot can be discussed----

Answer 8

*Don't run after pleasure, neglecting the practice of meditation. If you forget the goal of life and get selfishly caught up in the pleasures of the world, you will only come to envy those who put meditation first.

*Not seeing what is pleasant brings pain;
seeing what is unpleasant brings pain;
therefore go beyond both pleasure and pain.

*Don't get selfishly attached to anything, for trying to hold on to it will bring you only pain and suffering. But when you have Niether likes, nor dislikes, you will be Free.

*"Selfish Attachments bring Suffering;
selfish attachments bring Frer.
Be detached, and you will be free from suffering and fear."

*Selfish enjoyments lead to frustration;
selfish enjoyments lead to fear.
"Be Unselfish, and you will be free from frustrations and fear."

*"Selfish Desires give rise to Anxiety;
selfish desires give rise to Fear.
Be Unselfish, and will be free from anxiety and fear."

*"Craving brings pain; craving brings fear.
Don't yield to cravings, and you will be free
from pain and fear"

-The Dhammapada - translated for the modern reader by: Eknath Easwaran.

*Agree with your answer. Thanks.

*Thank You for Sharing your Wisdom and Insight from the Samyutta Nidaya, translated by Nyanatiloka.

-Namaste.

*Peace and Friendship to everyone.

`

Answer 9

I completely disagree.
While all these scriptures stress upon rebirth or the freedom from it, they miss the original question cleverly - Why the first birth itself?

Answer 10

So the human senses and the human condition lead to craving by their very existence, and craving leads to suffering? That sounds kind of depressing, because it seems like the mere fact that you are human means that you're destined to suffer?

Answer 11

Yes, in a way. Remember Buddha prescribed medicine for illness, the medicine for this ailment is emptiness and the medicine for emptiness is subtle wonder. ~ : )