Buddhism: Understanding Dukkha

The Three Marks of Existence: Dukkha

• Buddhism identifies three fundamental characteristics of existence: suffering (dukkha), impermanence (anicca), and lack of a permanent self (anatta).
• Understanding these characteristics is crucial for spiritual growth in Buddhism.

What is Dukkha?

• Dukkha is translated as suffering, dissatisfaction, or unsatisfactoriness.
• It encompasses various meanings beyond physical pain.
• It involves the impermanent nature of things and the craving for permanence.
• The Buddha's journey to enlightenment stems from seeking the causes of human suffering.

Different Types of Dukkha

• Dukkha-dukkha: Ordinary pain or suffering; encompassing physical and mental discomfort, such as illness, loss, or emotional distress.
• Viparinama-dukkha: Suffering arising from change; unhappiness from the inevitable change in life, both positive and negative changes. This includes the loss of happiness associated with temporary pleasures.
• Samkhara-dukkha: Suffering rooted in attachment; dissatisfaction stemming from clinging to things, people, or ideas. This results in unhappiness when those things change or are lost.

The Seven States of Suffering

• Buddhism identifies seven states of suffering: birth, old age, sickness, death, contact with unpleasant things, not getting what one wishes for, and the five aggregates of clinging.
• The first four relate to the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
• The remaining three types represent other types of suffering.

Research Activity

• Students are encouraged to find examples of the Buddha's experiences with suffering in his life and analyze the types of dukkha involved.

Activities

• Students should give examples of pleasurable experiences and consider their temporary nature.
• Brainstorm alternative words and phrases for "dukkha".

Study Tip

• Provides a short example of dukkha using loneliness and craving for a more detailed comparison of different types of suffering.