Mental suffering
Besides physical suffering, there are also various forms of mental suffering. People feel sad, lonely or depressed when. They lose someone they love through separation or death. They become irritated or uncomfortable when they are forced to be in the company of those whom they dislike or those who are unpleasant. People also suffer when they are unable to satisfy their needs and wants. Teenagers, for example, feel frustrated and angry if their parents refuse to let them go to a late-night party or spend large sums of money on expensive fashionable clothing or toys. Adults, on the other hand, may be unhappy if they are unable to gain wealth, power and fame.
Other types of suffering
Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods or famine, can cause a lot of suffering to people. People also have to face hardship caused by war and social injustice. Problems can happen even in the classroom. When you try to study, and yet the room is too noisy or your friends try to disturb you, you may feel unhappy and angry. Sometimes, problems may happen to you p:T?:?11y. When you do not pass an exam, this would make you feel unhappy and disappointed. These problems are unwanted. People try their best to avoid them and to be free from them. The following is the example of one who suffers.
I"2 The Second Noble Truth: Samudaya sacca
Meaning
The causes of suffering are three cravings; sensual craving, craving for existence, and craving non-existence based on greed and selfishness. The Buddha saw that the causes of suffering which are selfishness, craving and greed" people want all kinds of things and want to keep them forever. However, greed is endless, like a bottomless pit that can never be filled. The more you want, the more unhappy life is. Thus, our limitless wants and desires are the cause of our suffering. Many children who have had a taste for chocolate will keep asking for more" When they do not get it, they will feel upset and even angry. Although they know that eating too much chocolate may cause them to have a stomachache and a toothache, they still want more" The things we want most can cause us the most suffering" The following is the example of the cause of suffering.
Reading comprehension on the Monkey Trap
In China, monkeys are caught in a very special way" The trapper first takes a coconut. He then makes a hole on its side just big enough for a hand to go through when it is not clenched into a fist. He then places some peanuts in the coconut and puts it in a spot where monkeys usually visit. Before leaving the coconut behind, he would scatter some peanuts around the coconut. Sooner or later, a curious monkey would come along. It would first eat the peanuts on the ground. Then, it would find the coconut and see that it is full of peanuts. When it puts its hand into the hole to help itself to the peanuts, it would be unable to withdraw its hand, which is now a fistful of peanuts. No matter how hard it struggles and pulls, it would not get free . It would cry out loud and become very anxious. Every monkey has to do ii to let go of the peanuts to get free, but it would not want to do that. In this situation, the monkey is easily caught by the trapper.
“We are like the monkey. We want to be free from suffering, but we are not willing to let go of our desires, which so often get us into trouble. This is the Second Noble Truth.
1"3 The Third Noble Truth : Nirodha sacca
Meaning
The Nirodha sacca means having no craving caused suffering" In which, there are three kinds of craving namely; sensual craving, craving for existence, and craving for non-existence. If all of them are removed, that is called Nirodha sacca.
The end of suffering, craving must be removed. Just as a fire dies when no fuel is added, so unhappiness will end when the fuel of craving is removed. When craving is completely removed, there will be no more suffering. Our mind will be in a state of perfect peace. We shall always be happy" Buddhists call the state without suffering and having only peace with happiness called Nibbana (Nirvana). It is an everlasting state of great joy and peace" It is the greatest happiness in life. The following is the example of the cessation of suffering.
Reading comprehension on A happy Monk's Exclamation
There was once a man of wealth and high position who realized that suffering was the same for the rich and the poor" So he became a monk to practise meditation in order to develop his mind. Soon, that old monk had 500 monks as follower. One of these monks was always in a good temper, unlike the others who usually looked serious. The monk was the only one who knew his source of happiness, and this happy monk was soon appointed chief assistant. A year later, while they were spending the rainy season in the royal garden according to the king's invitation, the old monk was asked to stay at the residence in the palace" The happy monk became the new leader of the Soup. One day, this happy monk went to pay respect to the old monk and visit at the palace" Al1 would stay in the residence on seeing him mumbling as follow; "Here what happiness! Here what happiness!"
The king, who happened to visit the old monk at that time, felt insulted when he was not greeted by this happy monk, who was not even aware of the king’s entrance. Seeing the king’s displeasure, the old monk said to him: Have patience, my king, and I will tell you the source of this monk's happiness" Not many people know of it. He was once a king like you. But having given up his kingly life for that of a monk, he had found his present joy! Sitting alone in the forest, he had nothing to fear and no need for armed guards to surround him. Free from the worry over wealth and power his wisdom now protects himself and others" He has found such inner peace in meditation that he cannot help saying: "Here what happiness! Here what happiness!" The king finally understood what true happiness was. He honored the two monks before returning to his palace"
..Unattached to wealth and power, happiness increases. This is the Third Noble Truth."
1.4 The Fourth Noble Truth: Magga Sacea
Meaning
Magga sacca means the path leading to the end of suffering or the way to the cessation of suffering called "The Noble Eightfold Path or The Middle Ways" (Majjihimapatipada).
1. Right Understanding (Sammaditthi) means correct understanding in these topics; the Four Noble Truths, the Five Aggregates, the Three Characteristics, the Dependent Origination and the Action and means correct understanding of oneself and the world. If we understand things as they really are, we would be able to live a happier and more meaningful life.
2" Right Thought (Samm6saqkappal means correct thought in these topics; the aim towards renunciation, the aim towards benevolence, the aim towards kindness, the aim towards nonviolence and the aim towards universal love and to think in the right way" Those who harbour thoughts of greed and anger will easily get into trouble. But if we think correctly, we would end up doing the right things.
3. Right Speech (Sammavaca) means to avoid fakse speech, slanderous speech, harsh speech, and idle chatter. Harsh speech can wound more deeply than weapons, while gentle words can change the heart of a hardened criminal" This shows the effect on othefs in the way we speak. The Buddha said,
“Pleasant speech is as sweet as honey; truthful speech is beautiful like a flower; and wrong speech is unwholesome like filth"
Therefore, we should speak words that are truthful, meaningful and with good will.
4. Right Action (Sammakammanta) means refrain from three kinds of unwholesome deeds. They are abstaining from taking life, abstaining from taking what is not given, and abstaining from sexual misconduct.
5. Right Livelihood (Samma-ajiva) means earning one's living in a righteous way and do the wort that would not in any way bring harm to living beings. Buddhists are discouraged from engaging in the following five kinds of livelihood: trading the livieng, beings including, animals, weapons' for slaughter, poisons, and intoxicating drinks.
The Buddha saidtha!
"Do not earn your living by harming others. Do not seek happiness by making others unhapPy."
6. Right Effort (Sammavayama) means to do the best to become a better person. Examples of this are to work hard at school and to drop bad habits such as laziness, quick temper, smoking and drugs.
7. Right Mindfulness (Sammasati) means to be always aware and attentive. We should always be aware of what we think, say and do. We must concentrate on everything we do before we can do it well. For instance, if we concentrate in class, we would not miss anything the teacher says.
8. Right Concentration (Sammasamadhi) means to keep the mind steady and calm in order to see clearly the true nature of things. This type of mental practice can make us become more understanding and a happier person.
The Noble Eightfold Path can help us prevent problems or deal with any problems we may come across in our daily life. If we follow it, we are on the way to less suffering and more happiness. The following is the example of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.
Reading comprehension on Comparison of Raft
A man who was escaping from a goup of bandits came to a vast stretch of water that was in his way. He knew that this side of the shore was dangerous and the other side was safe. However, there was no boat going to the other shore, nor was there any bridge for crossing over. So he quickly gathered wood, branches and leaves
2.1 Virtues for a Good Household Life
Buddhism emphasizes realization of the fact that nothing surpasses the love of oneself. with such realization, Buddhism says that one should examine and judge one's own self. Any action, which is for one's own benefit, should be hurriedly carried out, since each one is living in the midst of emotional and social turmoil. Important principles for guiding life to prosperity are provide