cont....Buddhism Wisdom & Faith ( by Dharna Master Thich Thien Tam )

c) Suffering of disease

To have a body is to be open to disease, from those small ailments which have an external source to those dreadful diseases coming from the inside. Some people are afflicted with incurable diseases such as cancer or debilitating ailments, such as osteoporosis, etc. In such condition, they not only experience physical pain, they also have to spend large sums of money for treatment . Should they lack the required funds, not only do they suffer, they create additional suffering for their families. This is suffering on top of suffering. The suffering of disease is self-evident and requires no further elaboration.

d) Suffering of Death

All sentient beings desire an easy birth and a peaceful death. However, these conditions are very difficult to fulfill, particularly at the time of death, when the physical body is generally stricken by disease and in great pain. With the body in this state, the mind is panic-stricken, bemoaning the loss of wealth and property, and saddened by the impending separation from loved ones as well as a multitude of similar thoughts. This is suffering indeed. Very few of us want even to hear about death, let alone "like" it.

e) Suffering due to separation from loved ones

This truth is particularly easy to discern in time of war. In this situation, how many families have to endure separation, with some members in the "North", others in the "South?" How many young men have lost their lives in battlefields, the survivors stricken by their their losses, the departed suffering tragic deaths? This is the suffering of separation. How many still in their prime have lost their loved ones to death, leaving them alone, helpless and forsaken? Should we also mention those whose parents, brothers, sisters and children have been killed by bombs and bullets ? How many children, having lost their families, lacking all means of support and guidance, must lead precarious lives in orphanages? This is suffering due to death.

Thus in times like these, the sea of remembrance and the river of love are deep and long, but the mountain of hate and the sky of grief are also high and wide! Separation from loved ones, whether in life or through death , is suffering indeed!

f) Suffering due to meeting with the uncongenial

This is suffering due to encountering enemies. To endure those to whom we are opposed, whom we hate, who always shadow and slander us and look for ways to harm us -- which is hard to tolerate, as we are always worried and ill at ease -- this is true suffering. There are many families in which fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives are not of the same mind, and which are constantly beset with disputes, anger and acrimony. This is no different from encountering enemies. What is happiness then?

g) Suffering due to unfulfilled wishes

We all have many desires and hopes in our lives. For example, the poor hope to become rich, the ugly wish for beauty, the childless pray for a son or daughter. Those who have children wish them to be successful, intelligent and filial. Such wishes and hopes are legion, and cannot all be fulfilled. Thus, they are a source of suffering.

h) Suffering due to raging skandas ( aggregates )

This is the suffering of those of whose faculties are too sharp and full. The five skandas ( or aggregates ) are form, feeling, perception, volition and consciousness. The skanda of form relates to the physical body, while the remaining four concern the mind. To put it simply, this is the suffering of the body and mind.

The suffering of the skandas encompasses the seven kinds of suffering mentioned above. Our physical bodies are subject to birth, old age, disease, death, hunger, thirst, heat, cold and weariness. Our minds, on the other hand, are afflicted by sadness, anger, worry, love, hate and hundreds of other vexations. It once happened that Prince Siddhartha ( the young Buddha Sakyamuni ), having strolled through the four gates of the city, witnessed the misfortunes of old age, disease and death. Endowed with profound wisdom, he was touched by the suffering of the human condition and left the royal palace to find the way of liberation. Those with limited understanding and shallow thinking, on the other hand, do not ponder the truth of suffering and often mistake suffering for happiness.

There are those who upon being told that birth is suffering, will answer: When I was born I was too young to know anything, so i do not know of any suffering! If told that old age is suffering, they answer : I am not old yet! When told that disease is suffering, they answer: Since infancy, I have always been good in health, seldom experiencing any disease. Even when I was sick, it was only a minor discomfort; therefore, I do not see any suffering ! When told that death is suffering they say : Death has not come. Who knows that it is not a peaceful sleep? Upon being told that separation from loved ones is suffering, they say: The members of my family have always lived happily together, without experiencing any separation! If told that the company of uncongenial is suffering, they answer: I haven't done anything to deserve anyone's wrath. There is no reason for anyone to plot against me!. If we say that not getting what we want is suffering, they answer: I have everything else I desire and need from life; I do not want anything else!

Can we say, however, that these people have no suffering? No. Precisely because they are well-endowed in body and mind, they are undergoing the suffering of the five raging skandas. Why is it that a well-endowed mind and body constitute suffering? Let us remember the trials for murder, robbery, rape and other violent crimes in our soceity. These occurrences derive in part from persons with too much time on their hands. With mind and body over-satisfied, they are subjected to mental and biological stimulations. They are not at peace either sitting or standing and crate problems where they are none, which leads to violent events. As an example, nowadays many people throughout the world lead self-indulgent lives, prone to hard liquor, drugs, illicit sex and every kind of indulgence -- fond of danger and cruelty. They are not physically and mentally at peace with themselves and, like a raging fire, engage in wrongful acts leading to inevitable suffering. This is the "suffering of the five raging skandas."

The eight conditions described above are known as the Eight Sufferings. They are described here in a general way and can be subdivided into may other types of suffering. If we examine ourselves and others, are we not to a greater or lesser extent under the sway of the eight sufferings? If those who study the Dharma continuously ponder the Eight Great Sufferings of mankind, they can be said to be close to the Way.