So I’ve done a bit of reading on Buddhism. Now I realize that’s sort of a trendy thing to do these days, which is why I never bothered to look into it before. But I was given some literature, so I decided to go through it. As I’ve been reading and doing a bit of research, I’ve come across a few concepts that I feel are worth thinking about:
1. Dukkha – Unsatisfactoriness, discontent, stress, suffering. The first “Noble Truth” of Buddhism is “There is suffering.” This suffering comes from attachments. We are all attached to things in this life. We are attached to perceptions of ourselves. We are attached to material things. So what’s the problem?
2. Anatta – Not-self, no self. All that we attribute to ourselves (e.g., “I am a man”, “I am an American”, “I am intelligent”) is only a perception of self. This is not to say that we do not exist, or that these attributes may not describe our physical presence. However, when we misunderstand these attributes as what we are; if we attach ourselves to these perceptions, then we open ourselves up to suffering.
I am a man. If I associate myself too closely with this idea, then I am locked into behaviors that reinforce this view of myself. I am a man, therefore I should not do things that are “unmanly”. That limits a lot of my experience as a person, doesn’t it? If I were inclined to prance about in tights, I would feel very self-conscious about this, due solely to my perception of this behavior being “unmanly”.
I am an American. This means I am not any other nationality. If my country does something I feel is wrong, that becomes my baggage as well. If I feel someone has insulted or wronged my country, then I feel enraged because a part of my self has been wronged.
I am intelligent. But do I always do intelligent things? What about those midterms I failed? What about the time I cut my finger open with the kitchen knife? If I am intelligent, why do I do these unintelligent things? Why do I say foolish things? Why do I sometimes feel that someone near me may be more intelligent than I am? If I identify myself as someone who is intelligent; if I attach myself to that idea, I experience suffering of a sort when that view of myself is challenged.
3. Anicca – Impermanence. Nothing lasts forever. I was born, and I will die. Sometimes pleasant things happen to me and I am happy. Sometimes unpleasant things happen to me, and I am angry or sad. Happiness is impermanent, as is sadness and anger. I have a nice new car, but someone could steal it, or I might get in a wreck. And if I am fortunate enough to avoid those things, eventually it will get worn out anyway and I will have to get rid of it.
This passage sums it all up nicely:
All conditions are transient,
There is no self in the created or the uncreated.
All of us
Are bound by birth, ageing, and death,
By sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief, and despair,
Bound by suffering and obstructed by suffering.
Let us all aspire to complete freedom from suffering.
Bye for now.