Kai, Firstly, true or pure existence (nirvana) has no suffering. Samsara, however, is not existence itself; it's an illusory perspective of existence. Samsara can certainly give the ILLUSION of happiness (non-suffering), but it is not a real happiness. Ignorance and suffering are co-dependent by-products of samsara. Ignorance is suffering; suffering is ignorance. In a gross sense you could say that although you think you are happy, since there is a pure, much greater happiness of which you are ignorant, you `suffer' from the inability to experience that `true' happiness. There is of course direct suffering experienced in samsara also. Buddhism starts with a realization (or even suspicion) that `there is something more to life' than you are now living. That is the start of a realization that you are a prisoner of samsara and a desire to break free. If some vestige of that realization or desire is not there, then there will be no interest in Buddhism.
Secondly, Buddhism's purpose is to relieve ignorance and suffering in ALL sentient beings, not just you. It starts with you (Hinayana) but is not completely realized until it includes ALL sentient beings (Mahayana). An example of these first two points is: a wealthy land-owner (like Prince Siddhartha) may believe that he is happy living in his world of privilege while his subjects are suffering in abject poverty. His happiness is an illusion (samsara). It is aselfish, ignorant happiness. Since in this state he cannot experience true happiness he is said to `suffer'. He cannot truly be happy until all of his subject's sufferings are relieved. To do this he must first cast off the fog of ignorance (samsara). He will then be aware of his suffering and the suffering around him. He must then work to relive his own suffering and the suffering of his subjects. Only then can true happiness be realized. And lastly from a zen perspective, Buddhism is merely a teaching tool and all of its dharma can be likened to medicine taken to break the illusory spell of samsara thereby dissolving ignorance and relieving suffering. When ignorance and suffering disappears there is no longer a need for the medicine. Hope this helps... Gassho, Bill! ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/S27xlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Current Book Discussion: Appreciate Your Life by Taizan Maezumi Roshi Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZenForum/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
