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The root of suffering

shanyinshanyin Novice YoginSault Ontario Veteran
edited May 2010 in Buddhism Basics
Hello. The meditator and practicer of Buddha Dharma is on a search to discover the causes of suffering. I have found that I am suprised that I am asking this .. question. I have probably just forgot what the answer was but I have found there are many intellegent and knowledgable and experienced Buddhists on this forum and thought I would again take advantage.

Desire is the cause of suffering.. no? On the other hand I have heard from buddhists that it is indeed ignorance.

Perhaps both are involved. What does ignorance have to do with suffering and what are we ignorant of... annica and annata? The nature of what arises?

May Buddha bless you.

Comments

  • JeffreyJeffrey Veteran
    edited May 2010
    I wouldn't make it a pressure to solve. Just hold your thoughts lightly and let them go or let them be. In this way the threads of confusion will be exposed to your awareness.

    I would say to keep studying suffering. You have enough chances to huh? So at some point you will know quite a bit about suffering after having watched it many times. Then you will know how it relates to desire and ignorance.
  • thickpaperthickpaper Veteran
    edited May 2010
    Ignorance is the root of suffering, not desire. We desire things because we do not understand the true nature of things.

    Ignorance is also the root defilement, so it "operates" on the philosophical as well as the spiritual/moral/psychological aspects of suffering.

    namaste
  • shanyinshanyin Novice Yogin Sault Ontario Veteran
    edited May 2010
    good helpful answers thank you
  • JasonJason God Emperor Arrakis Moderator
    edited May 2010
    shanyin wrote: »
    Hello. The meditator and practicer of Buddha Dharma is on a search to discover the causes of suffering. I have found that I am suprised that I am asking this .. question. I have probably just forgot what the answer was but I have found there are many intellegent and knowledgable and experienced Buddhists on this forum and thought I would again take advantage.

    Desire is the cause of suffering.. no? On the other hand I have heard from buddhists that it is indeed ignorance.

    Actually, the second noble truth states that the origination of suffering is the craving (tahna, literally "thirst") that makes for further becoming (SN 56.11).
    Perhaps both are involved. What does ignorance have to do with suffering and what are we ignorant of... annica and annata? The nature of what arises?

    Ignorance refers to ignorance of the four noble truths (MN 9).
  • shanyinshanyin Novice Yogin Sault Ontario Veteran
    edited May 2010
    Is ignorance the cause of craving? Hmm I am a bit confused.
  • truthseekertruthseeker
    edited May 2010
    Yes, ignorance is often cited as the root cause of suffering and this idea is worthwhile investigating, because it is very profound. The word tanha is given as the cause in the four noble truths, which translates to craving, thirst or (sometimes) desire. There is no contradiction between these two statements, because suffering arises on account of interdependent causes that are fully described by codependent origination (paticcasamuppada). So, in oder to get the full picture, you have to look at codependent origination.

    Ignorance (avijja) is the first nidana in codependent origination, whereas craving (tanha) is the eighth nidana. My personal interpretation is that tanha is mentioned in the four noble truth (and thus takes a front seat), because that is the predetermined breaking point, i.e. the point that the practitioner accesses in order to break through the causal chain.

    Cheers, Thomas
  • kayakaya
    edited May 2010
    shanyin wrote: »
    Is ignorance the cause of craving? Hmm I am a bit confused.
    Interconnected ...
  • ShutokuShutoku Veteran
    edited May 2010
    Craving necessarily causes suffering.
    Ignorance may lead to craving, but not necessarily.
  • thickpaperthickpaper Veteran
    edited May 2010
    Shutoku wrote: »
    Craving necessarily causes suffering.
    Ignorance may lead to craving, but not necessarily.

    All craving has its root in ignorance. Not all ignorance leads to craving, but I think it some sense it all leads in some way to dukka.
  • shanyinshanyin Novice Yogin Sault Ontario Veteran
    edited May 2010
    OK I think that clears alot up thank you. I wish there were a mostastery in the city I live where I could study.
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