Meditation On Suffering By Lillian Venerable Namgyel's Online Sangha

WHY THE BUDDHA TAUGHT SUFFERING FIRST


Know the suffering then there is nothing more to know.
Abandon the source then there is nothing more to abandon.
Attain the cessation then there is nothing more to attain.
Meditate on the path, then there's nothing more to meditate on.
Suffering, its cause, cessation, and path are to be known, abandoned, attained, and practiced.



THE EIGHT SUFFERINGS

Suffering is related to Karma

Each time we take rebirth we experience sufferings related to


Birth
Aging
Sickness
Death
Meeting the unpleasant
Separation from the pleasant
Not getting what is desired
The five contaminated aggregates are in the nature of suffering



REBIRTH AND SUFFERING

We create the causes to experience the results we get. So the Buddha says we should create the right cause to achieve positive results. The right result is to not have contamination.

So we monitor our minds to be aware of thoughts, speech, and actions. The actions that we do towards others become less harmful, which gives space for the heart to be aware of others suffering (not just our own suffering), then natural compassion starts to arise.



THE SIX SUFFERINGS

In cyclic existence we have


Uncertainty
Dissatisfaction
Discarding your body repeatedly
Being born again and again
The constant change of status
Loneliness