Introduction to Buddhist Thought
examines of the meaning of Buddha’s teaching of “I have taught one thing and one thing only, dukkha and the cessation of dukkha.“
What is dukkha?
The term, dukkha, literally means a wagon with a defective wheel – a wheel whose defect causes an uncomfortable ride.
Three Types of Dukkha
- Dukkha as ordinary suffering – the obvious physical and mental suffering associated with birth, ordinary life, growing old, sickness, and dying.
- Dukkha as produced by change – the anxiety or stress of trying to hold onto things that are constantly changing. Also known as suffering of impermanence.
- Dukkha of conditioned states – Conditioned states are deeply rooted psychophysical formations predicated by negative experiences, and they are how we store negative learning.
- A complex of afflictive emotions accompanies conditioned states, as well as habitual thought patterns and behaviors that manifest themselves in subsequent circumstances not in harmony with a new situation. They limit our freedom to respond to our life in ways we might prefer.
- A great deal of energy is expended in coping with conditioned states, but coping strategies do not alleviate the underlying root of the automatic response resulting from them.
What is cessation?
Buddhism is interested in teaching the way to a happy and balanced life. It teaches how to
resolve conditioned states, creating a life of harmony and balance – liberation from dukkha – and then using that freedom to cultivate the qualities of a Buddha.
Buddhism is neither pessimistic nor optimistic. If anything at all, it is realistic, for it takes a realistic view of life and of the world.
Buddhism looks at things objectively. It tells you exactly and objectively what you are, what the world around you is, and shows you the way to freedom, peace, tranquility and happiness.
