Chapter 5 - Is everything suffering?

Question 1

enumerate:

Three Kinds of Suffering

(not taught by the Buddha)

Answer 1

1. suffering of suffering
2. suffering of composite things
3. suffering associated with change

(not taught by the Buddha)

Question 2

define:

suffering of suffering

Answer 2

• suffering of unpleasant feelings
  ex: toothache

Question 3

define:

suffering of composite things

3

Answer 3

• idea that whatever comes together will come apart
• so all composite things = suffering, even not-yet decayed seen as suffering i.e. mountains, sun
• how can we find joy with beliefs like these?

Question 4

define:

suffering associated with change

Answer 4

• idea that what we have today will disappear in the future
  ex: healthy liver

Question 5

define:

Truth of Dwelling Happily in Things as They Are

2

Answer 5

• to succeed in the practice, we must stop trying to prove that everything is suffering (or trying to prove anything!)
• coexists with the truth of suffering

Question 6

Why is it too general to say “All things are suffering”?

3

Answer 6

• all things are marked by impermanence, non-self, nirvana
• dangerous to practise without our very own intellect
• suffering not a mark of all things (unlike Three Dharma Seals)

Question 7

Why is it misleading to say craving is the main cause of suffering?

Answer 7

• other afflictions cause suffering and pain
  Ex: anger, ignorance, suspicion, wrong views

Question 8

Why call a suffering by its true name?

2

Answer 8

• to find cause of suffering more quickly
• to move away from idea craving is only cause of suffering ex: stomachache, headache

Question 9

When should we recognise joy?

Answer 9

• absolutely whenever suffering is absent

“Recognise suffering when it is present and recognise joy when suffering is absent”