Buddhism accepts the fact that, like happiness, suffering is subject to change. But at the same time Buddhism points out that there is no balance of happiness and suffering. The painful side of experience usually outweighs happiness. However pessimistic it may seem, Buddhism tries to address the reality of suffering, without any pretence or deception, so as to focus on this painful side of life. At the same time it tries to probe beneath the fact of suffering in search of its causes and a way to end. The Buddha's insight, in its concentrated form, is found in the Four Noble Truths (ariyasacca). They are the truth of suffering (dukkha), the causes of suffering (samudhaya) the method to end suffering (nirodh), and the Noble Eightfold Path that leads to the cessation of suffering (magga).
In order to cease from suffering one should not project suffering on to others. Nor should one become a masochist or a martyr and enjoy suffering. Nor should one find attachment to a substitute whether in the world of art or of such other pleasure-giving areas as sex, drugs and liquor. Substitutes are to be avoided because they feed ego gratification (tanha). In Buddhist thought fulfilling the ego's needs is itself a cause of suffering.