The Perfection of Suffering

“Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering.”

Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: it is this craving which leads to re-becoming, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there; that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for becoming, craving for disbecoming.

Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering: it is the remainderless fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, non-reliance on it.

Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is this noble eightfold path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration.”

Thus, the first noble truth is indeed the very foundation of the Buddha Dharma. It is the first sentence of the first teaching of Lord Buddha; the first movement of the first turning of the wheel of dharma. It is the Credo of the noble path to liberation.

Practitioner’s motivation often start as a way and an attempt to escape suffering and reach the shores of happiness and joy. Nirvana seems the opposite of suffering.

Often we wonder on the mechanism of suffering, and why should such a mechanism exist at all?

As suffering becomes vivid and pain is paramount, we often start to suffer from the mere notion of the existence! Of suffering. Clinging to every moment or object of joy and happiness only to find out later, this very “happiness” is an integral part of this suffering “system”.

The realization that true happiness is not the opposite! of suffering; rather it is a mindset based not on opposites and dualistic mind, and is independent this system altogether, adds even more confusion and bewilderment.

However, this dualistic mind is an integral part of our psyche, and uprooting this behavioral pattern takes some work….

As we evolve, the very notion of suffering evolves as well.

We soon realize that Nirvana – is the absence of suffering, rather than the opposite of it.

And we can see how the famous “No Mud No Lotus” formula was formed, suffering is realized as the very foundation of our spiritual growth.

So now, it is very clear the way emerges as The Perfection of Suffering.

There cannot exist a different way, a more perfect way, a clearer way other than suffering in order to progress our spiritual endeavor.

Pain and suffering are so vivid; even the blind can spot them a mile away.

Our entire system, physical mental and emotional, are delicately equipped to identify locate and focus on the “suffering” phenomena.

From the smallest itch on the left foot, to the incredible emotional pain of losing a dear one, we are attuned to pain like a hawk identifies pray in the open and vast sky.

Suffering and pain will stand out and prioritize our entire being as soon as they arise, shadowing any other signal, as if calling us “help” !

This heavenly road, that leaves us no other choice but to start deciphering this code of existence, is in actuality our build-in heavenly gate.

It is then that the entire samsara/nirvana system collapses into one, and not seen as opposites.

Suffering therefore is realized as perfect from the start. We are here, free to practice, with a built-in practice guide.

Practice in now an integral part of our very existence, like a jewel set in a ring.

Any pain arising is our path, any suffering appears as our teacher, we embrace the way engraved into our being, facing our path directly – our inner guru has emerged.

Everything is perfect from the start.

Dorje Tseten

Shlomo Bezem

Had I not known sorrow and remorse,
How could I have entered the path to release?
Had I not placed my trust in a teacher,
How could I have attained the ultimate power?
– Tantepa