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Let me get this straight...
Does Buddhism legitimately offer a path to a reduction of suffering? Is that literally what you Buddhists believe?
I know that perhaps the route to that goal is understanding that the self is an illusion and that suffering ocurrs when we hold onto the concept of self and attachment with things... but as far as I'm aware the Buddha neither confirmed nor denied that an "i" exists... or in other words something to experienc the suffering.
To put it simply, is the Buddhist way worth following if I want to be happier? or is it a kind of meaningless question.. like you can do it if you want but it can't give you anything? I mean, in simple terms, will I (whatever "i" actually means and whatever it is) reduce my suffering? Will suffering disolve?
Maybe a simple question... I don't know... but I'm aware that everything has a kind of underlying logic to do with self that complicates Buddhism. I mean... i'm aware that the Buddha found peace when he STOPPED searching for an end to suffering.... but that is still a "thing" that he did. He stopped. So, suffering is inevitable if I'm alive... ok, I can deal with that, BUT even if it's inevitable can it be reduced through understanding Buddhist philosophy?
I know that perhaps the route to that goal is understanding that the self is an illusion and that suffering ocurrs when we hold onto the concept of self and attachment with things... but as far as I'm aware the Buddha neither confirmed nor denied that an "i" exists... or in other words something to experienc the suffering.
To put it simply, is the Buddhist way worth following if I want to be happier? or is it a kind of meaningless question.. like you can do it if you want but it can't give you anything? I mean, in simple terms, will I (whatever "i" actually means and whatever it is) reduce my suffering? Will suffering disolve?
Maybe a simple question... I don't know... but I'm aware that everything has a kind of underlying logic to do with self that complicates Buddhism. I mean... i'm aware that the Buddha found peace when he STOPPED searching for an end to suffering.... but that is still a "thing" that he did. He stopped. So, suffering is inevitable if I'm alive... ok, I can deal with that, BUT even if it's inevitable can it be reduced through understanding Buddhist philosophy?
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I wouldn't call myself a buddhist, but I can certainly attest to the power of mindfulness practice in one's life. You do develop more equanimity which inherently tones down your perceived suffering (and since suffering in the buddhist sense is all about perception, it effectively stops a lot of your "ACTUAL" suffering).
I will say the "I" questions will always be really important...one of the things that is starting to scare me shitless is my sense of identity. It's like you can't feel entitled to anything, you can never feel the victim nor the hero....and I guess that's fine on a macro plane...but with smaller stuff it makes you feel like everything you ever valued is meaningless...
The short answer is Yes. Cultivating buddhism will make it easier to detach from painfull situations and give you a perspective on life and the world that will make even the hardest situation more bareable.
/Victor
Look for the thread "The View that there is no self is wrong view" for some thoughts on the self.
here is the link
Briefly, Buddhism is based in a recognition that everything is impermanent, and that the more we can accept that, we can enjoy what we have while we have it, but be content to let go of it when it's no longer going to be in our lives, and so forth.
So yes, even though suffering is inevitable it can be reduced through understanding and PRACTICING Buddhist philosophy.
Welcome aboard. This is a very interesting site with some really interesting people on it.
because (a) I have tested it for myself, and (b) it only works if you implement it. If you struggle and argue against the logic of it all, you just wriggle yourself further into the quicksand.... So? Relax. Just take things easy, and ponder things as they arise. Don't force "learning". Little steps, there's no desperate rush or race to the finish.
I've been practising a good while now. There's still stuff I find it hard to get my head round, but I really don't sweat it..... Well, really, you've answered your own question.
Many have likened Buddhism to a 'map'. It's all there for you in black and white, but you still have to do the legwork.
to my mind, it's worth every step, because it's not meant to be an ordeal, it's supposed to bring you the pleasure of exploration and discovery.... Just for a moment, drop the 'self/not-self' stuff.
Concentrate on the primary basics.
Just get through the day adhering to the Eightfold path.
That's normally enough of a challenge to anyone, let alone all this self/attachment/suffering deal.....
Maybe. But practice is usually more effective than philosophy.
Very well put
On the one hand the buddha said: “I teach one thing and one only: that is suffering and the end of suffering.” On the other hand, dukkha is one of the three marks of existence.
The four noble truths point to the cessation of suffering as the goal of buddhism, but then I read things that suggest that having the end of suffering as a goal is a mistake that will only lead to more suffering.
In my experience, my practice has greatly reduced my suffering, but maybe I'm doing it wrong.
Your logic, according to Buddhism, breaks down here.
It is "the mind" that experiences suffering rather than the "I".
It is "the mind" that finds happiness rather than the "I".
It is "the mind" that is liberated rather than the "I".
The "I" itself is suffering. The Buddha called the "I" a "disease", a "tumour", a "cancer", a "dart".
With metta
You merely are not aware of the theory or definitions here, that is all.
The word "dukkha" is used in many ways and each meaning is not he same.
In the First Noble Truth, dukkha refers to mental torment or psychological dukkha.
In the 2nd Mark of Existence, dukkha refers to the unsatisfactoriness of impermanent phenomena. For example, because your computer or motor car will inevitably break down, it possesses the characteristic of dukka.
Dukkha can also refer to physical pain. For example, the Buddha himself experienced physical pain but his mind did not suffer.
There is no contradiction. There is only the need to understand the definitions of the Pali language.
For an enlightened being, because they constantly experience 2nd Mark of Existence, their mind ends the dukkha of the First Noble Truth.
Please read the quotes below.
Kind regards
Buddhism is about 2500 years old. During those years many people thought about Buddhism very hard and with different outcomes.
So first of all: there are hardly any uniform Buddhist answers and Buddhists believe all sorts of things.
Okay, now your question: can suffering be reduced?
Here’s my shot at it.
1. Yes, to a point suffering can be reduced.
When we practice wisdom, moral life, and meditation (the 8-fold path) we will be happier and suffer less.
But we will always be human beings, and sickness old age and death are an inseparable part of that.
2. Whatever happens, both happiness and suffering are empty and so is the 8-fold path.
The first answer refers to a gradual path.
This second one points at the possibility of sudden enlightenment.
We don’t really have to choose between the two because there is no contradiction.
When we accept the idea of emptiness – an even when we have “realized” it – we still have to make choices in our lives. And the choices of the 8-fold path are the choices that produce (empty) happiness and reduce (empty) suffering. There’s nothing (empty) wrong with that.
It is even (empty) good for all (empty) living beings.
So in other words, suffering can not only be reduced, but it can also be seen through as being empty, which means we can be on the path towards freedom and at the same time be free already while doing so.
Again this is my answer. Not THE answer!
You don't go from a worldling to being completely unfettered all at once.