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Why does man seek to relieve the symptoms of suffering ...

buddhist

Well-Known Member
... instead of uprooting suffering itself?

I would daresay that all activities which mankind engages in, from things as mundane as eating, not eating, sleeping, waking, drinking, not drinking, sex, celibacy, pursuing entertainment or education, to things like worship, seeking a savior, a god, etc., are all ways of relieving the symptoms of suffering/dukkha.

We go to sleep, in order to relieve the suffering of tiredness (a suffering). We wake up, in order to relieve the suffering of too much sleep. We eat, to relieve hunger (a suffering). We stop eating, to relieve overeating (a suffering). Etc. The cycle of suffering in samsara is endless.
 

psychoslice

Veteran Member
For me personally its not uprooting suffering, but seeing it for what it is, and illusion, let suffering happen when it is there, and let so called happiness happen when it is there, both are clouds just passing by.
 

Tumah

Veteran Member
... instead of uprooting suffering itself?

I would daresay that all activities which mankind engages in, from things as mundane as eating, not eating, sleeping, waking, drinking, not drinking, sex, celibacy, pursuing entertainment or education, to things like worship, seeking a savior, a god, etc., are all ways of relieving the symptoms of suffering/dukkha.

We go to sleep, in order to relieve the suffering of tiredness (a suffering). We wake up, in order to relieve the suffering of too much sleep. We eat, to relieve hunger (a suffering). We stop eating, to relieve overeating (a suffering). Etc. The cycle of suffering in samsara is endless.
That sounds like a very negative mindset, to view everything you do as an expression of relief from suffering.
Eat because you enjoy food and stop eating because you enjoy health. Sleep because its makes you feel refreshed and that is a good feeling too.
 

buddhist

Well-Known Member
That sounds like a very negative mindset, to view everything you do as an expression of relief from suffering.
Eat because you enjoy food and stop eating because you enjoy health. Sleep because its makes you feel refreshed and that is a good feeling too.
IMO enjoyment, refreshment, and good feelings are on the spectrum of suffering, all of which moves one more towards less suffering, at least temporarily.
 

Tumah

Veteran Member
IMO enjoyment, refreshment, and good feelings are on the spectrum of suffering, all of which moves one more towards less suffering, at least temporarily.
I understand what you're saying and I think its quite a negative way of looking at life when you weigh everything on a scale of suffering rather than enjoyment.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
Suffering is not bad. Only too much suffering is bad, so it makes sense to fight against too much of it. Removing the root of suffering is stupid. You become a cold, empty tin can, just another rock.
 

rusra02

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
... instead of uprooting suffering itself?

I would daresay that all activities which mankind engages in, from things as mundane as eating, not eating, sleeping, waking, drinking, not drinking, sex, celibacy, pursuing entertainment or education, to things like worship, seeking a savior, a god, etc., are all ways of relieving the symptoms of suffering/dukkha.

We go to sleep, in order to relieve the suffering of tiredness (a suffering). We wake up, in order to relieve the suffering of too much sleep. We eat, to relieve hunger (a suffering). We stop eating, to relieve overeating (a suffering). Etc. The cycle of suffering in samsara is endless.
I disagree that eating, sleeping, drinking, etc. are attempts to relieve suffering. IMO, they are pleasurable experiences. Nor do I believe suffering is endless, since the Bible promises an end to all (real) suffering. (Revelation 21:3,4)
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
... instead of uprooting suffering itself?

I would daresay that all activities which mankind engages in, from things as mundane as eating, not eating, sleeping, waking, drinking, not drinking, sex, celibacy, pursuing entertainment or education, to things like worship, seeking a savior, a god, etc., are all ways of relieving the symptoms of suffering/dukkha.

We go to sleep, in order to relieve the suffering of tiredness (a suffering). We wake up, in order to relieve the suffering of too much sleep. We eat, to relieve hunger (a suffering). We stop eating, to relieve overeating (a suffering). Etc. The cycle of suffering in samsara is endless.

I think it's the unhealthy suffering such as sickness that people try to relieve as a whole. While others aren't seen as suffering but a devotional action such as a vow to celibacy. It's not suffering to avoid sex; rather, a it's a choice. However, to purposely avoid sleep is causing suffering given our body needs it to function. Did The Buddha distinguish different types of suffering?
 

buddhist

Well-Known Member
I understand what you're saying and I think its quite a negative way of looking at life when you weigh everything on a scale of suffering rather than enjoyment.
Suffering & enjoyment/pleasure both refer to the same scale. Just as if I was speaking of coldness while you speak of heat - both exist on the same scale of temperature, just different polarities.
 

buddhist

Well-Known Member
Suffering is not bad. Only too much suffering is bad, so it makes sense to fight against too much of it. Removing the root of suffering is stupid. You become a cold, empty tin can, just another rock.
In Buddhism, we believe that removing the root of suffering brings one to nibbana, the permanent, blissful coolness.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
In Buddhism, we believe that removing the root of suffering brings one to nibbana, the permanent, blissful coolness.
I think that this contradicts what we know about the mind. Without suffering you cannot appreciate the passage of time or beauty, so you can be without suffering but not without paying the price of your own existence. Therefore you can never truly succeed, since once you do succeed you will cease to appreciate the value of no suffering. I am certain that the cessation of suffering would be as if you had shot yourself in the head, never caring about anything or having compassion or benefiting from anything, such as coolness or bliss.
 

buddhist

Well-Known Member
I think it's the unhealthy suffering such as sickness that people try to relieve as a whole. While others aren't seen as suffering but a devotional action such as a vow to celibacy. It's not suffering to avoid sex; rather, a it's a choice. However, to purposely avoid sleep is causing suffering given our body needs it to function. Did The Buddha distinguish different types of suffering?
I think he did point out different manifestations of suffering, but ultimately they are all one and the same at their core - as dukkha.
 

buddhist

Well-Known Member
I think that this contradicts what we know about the mind. Without suffering you cannot appreciate the passage of time or beauty, so you can be without suffering but not without paying the price of your own existence. Therefore you can never truly succeed, since once you do succeed you will cease to appreciate the value of no suffering. I am certain that the cessation of suffering would be as if you had shot yourself in the head, never caring about anything or having compassion or benefiting from anything, such as coolness or bliss.
Yet is it not true that people endlessly attempt to run away from the manifestations of suffering?
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
I think that this contradicts what we know about the mind. Without suffering you cannot appreciate the passage of time or beauty, so you can be without suffering but not without paying the price of your own existence. Therefore you can never truly succeed, since once you do succeed you will cease to appreciate the value of no suffering. I am certain that the cessation of suffering would be as if you had shot yourself in the head, never caring about anything or having compassion or benefiting from anything, such as coolness or bliss.

May I?

No. I've suffered most my childhood due to chronic medical illnesses, and yes, I learned from it but my moral lessons are not a priority to my health. The function of the body and mind is the be born, age, become sick, and die. The Buddha calls all of this suffering regardless good or bad. If everyone wanted suffering, I'd think everyone would have killed each other long time ago. Cessation of suffering, in The Buddhist view is ending rebirth to see the complete nature of life. It's the understanding of suffering that leads to its end.

How can one truly be happy in suffering? Can the morals of our past suffering override suffering itself? Do you really want to get shot in the head to know what it's like to appreciate life? Why can't you appreciate your life without the need of suffering?
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
Yet is it not true that people endlessly attempt to run away from the manifestations of suffering?
We react to suffering and try to avoid it usually but not always. We work though it is suffering. We live though it would be easier to die. Consider all the suicidal people who stay alive for their families. Do they run away from suffering or embrace it?
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
May I?

No. I've suffered most my childhood due to chronic medical illnesses, and yes, I learned from it but my moral lessons are not a priority to my health. The function of the body and mind is the be born, age, become sick, and die. The Buddha calls all of this suffering regardless good or bad. If everyone wanted suffering, I'd think everyone would have killed each other long time ago. Cessation of suffering, in The Buddhist view is ending rebirth to see the complete nature of life. It's the understanding of suffering that leads to its end.

How can one truly be happy in suffering? Can the morals of our past suffering override suffering itself? Do you really want to get shot in the head to know what it's like to appreciate life? Why can't you appreciate your life without the need of suffering?
I'm not very knowledgeable about the Buddha, but I think that many Buddhists accept that suffering is living. Death and birth are illusions as the self is an illusion to Buddhists, just as suffering is an illusion to Buddhists. Just because its an illusion though does not mean that its bad. Moderation! Rebirth is an illusion, too for Buddhists, or how can they be reborn if they aren't born? So its all some kind of metaphor for something that they find hard to discuss.
 

buddhist

Well-Known Member
We react to suffering and try to avoid it usually but not always. We work though it is suffering. We live though it would be easier to die. Consider all the suicidal people who stay alive for their families. Do they run away from suffering or embrace it?
They must have some hope if they decide to stay alive! Or, the decision to go through with it might produce more suffering in their mind than if they decide otherwise.
 
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