Buddhism says Life is Suffering, But Don't Despair
Think Buddhism
by Vanessa Hadley
Buddhism is one of the fastest growing religions in the world. Practiced in the East for over 2500 years, it now spreads rapidly throughout
Buddhism's first insight, called the First Noble Truth, says that life is suffering. So how is it that Buddhism flourishes in our modern day, when we have available to us an ever-increasing number of conveniences, pleasures, and thrills?
A moment's reflection shows us that in modern society, we have actually multiplied the intensity of our suffering by our avoidance of it. The mind is susceptible to all manner of addictions and compulsions, for example, because it seeks to avoid uncomfortable feelings and to attain pleasant sensations. Chemical sensations from alcohol and other drugs are not the only things we crave. We crave attention, distinction, money, and security. We crave whatever we think might give us those things.
That craving itself is suffering, the Second Noble Truth teaches. The more involved we are in "bettering" our lives and ourselves, the more we suffer. And modern life is all about making things "better", "more", "new and improved". We have even developed the ability to postpone death, but with that ability has come the excruciating burden of decision, without being able to make life permanent. In the life of a fortunate person, there comes a time when s/he realizes that satisfying cravings only leads to more craving, and that even fulfilled dreams come to an end, because life is impermanent by its nature.
That's where Buddhism steps in, not with promises of bigger, better, or forever, but with the Third Noble Truth that the end of craving and suffering is possible. The Buddha taught that the only way out of suffering is to accept life as it is, to quit wanting it to be something else, to accept all of life's disappointments and losses without resistance. The Fourth Noble Truth teaches that the way to do that is by practice of the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path includes Right Understanding, Right Aspiration (or Intention), Right Action, Right Speech, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Concentration, and Right Mindfulness.
Buddhism concerns itself with every aspect of life that concerns any modern person. If practiced diligently, it helps free us from suffering in relationships, work, and our busy minds. The more modern life becomes, the more relevant Buddhism becomes.
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