Life is suffering??

My friend asked me after studied about The Four Noble Truths in Buddhism:

"Why Buddhism do emphasis on suffering? Isn't it is quite gloomy to say tat life is suffering?? Is tat Buddhism pessimistic? Do u happy with that? "

erm....for me, suffering is actually exist in our life. But, suffering is something we, as human beings, usually do not want to know. We try to ignore its existence.

I have studied a book entitled "How to Develop Happiness in Daily Living“. This book have mentioned that when modern science did a series of research on Buddhist techniques of mind training in 2004, the result has found that Buddhists who practice meditation on a regular basis are indeed the happiest people!
This statement oppose the perception of those who do not know about Dhamma.
(I have tried meditation & that's why I try to perform it at my hostel at least once a week ^^quite effective)

Therefore, Buddha always told His followers about the causes and effects (cycle of suffering) as well as ways to address it (one of the way= meditation- purify your mind n use your wisdom to find the answer & solution by your own).

Another study by the University of California claims that Buddhist meditation makes individuals able to deal with fear and angle much better.

...I am talking about "suffering", but why i focus so much on meditation??

Actually, meditation, or mind training, is an important aspect of Buddhist practice. It is not just about claiming the mind but it is also about freeing oneself from habitual states of greed, hatred and delusion. Which, each of these is a source of suffering and therefore unhappiness. ^^


Although the Buddha's teaching starts with suffering (dukkha)- the 1st noble truth, it ends in freedom from suffering- known as nirvana(3th noble truth)

The Buddha's teaching therefore is about achieving this freedom from suffering- ultimate hapiness.

Though nirvana is the ultimate goal, how is it that Buddhists might find happiness in a world that is known as full of change, uncertainty, and unsatisfactoriness? Even when happiness is possible, there is no escape from old age, sickness and death.

What Buddhism does teach is that there are skillful ways of living (moral precepts& working on various meditiation techniques)

Not killing or harming living beings, not lying, not stealing, not indulging in inappropriate sexual activity, not drinking alcohol or taking drugs, mean that unhappy states are less likely to occur. To harm a living being, for instant, has had karmic consequences. It can lead to feeling of remorse and regret for what has done. It will also lead to suffering according to the Buddhist doctrine of moral causality or karma.

A strong element of Buddhism is cultivating +ve or wholesome states of mind. These include resisting a tenddency towards anger and fostering loving kindness (metta) and compassion (karuna).

Many Buddhists actively practice meditation techniques that develop goodwill to all beings. There is a practice of seeing each individual being as if they were your mother. This kindness and goodwill that you would extend to your mother, you also extend to others universally. Then, there is the compassion of empathizing deeply with others suffering. If they suffer, it is your suffering too - there is no separation!

So， how to we find happiness in this world? One message from Buddhism is the deep truth that one finds happiness by seeking the happiness of others.

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May all my parents, family, relatives, teachers, friends, and those who are unfriendly to me and people surrounding me, free from harm and danger, metal and physical suffering, and live in happiness.

Amitabha