Buddhism Taught Me That Everyone Holds the Power to Rid Their Lives of Suffering

“The cessation of suffering—well-being—is available if you know how to enjoy the precious jewels you already have.  You have eyes that can see, lungs that can breathe, legs that can walk and lips that can smile.  When you are suffering, look deeply at your situation and find the conditions for happiness that are already there, already available.” —p.41

            Buddhism is a religion that dates back 2,500 years when Buddha himself, Siddhartha Guatama Buddha, was enlightened at the age of 35. (White)  Although Buddhism is a religion, it is considered to be just a way of life for some people.  There are ethics deep within the Buddhist beliefs that promote morals, mindfulness of the body and mind as well as the development and growth of one’s understanding and knowledge. (White)  These beliefs are thought to ultimately lead to a life of happiness, peace and joy.  Buddhists believe that by living in accordance with the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Eightfold Path’ you can eventually reach enlightenment and in the process end suffering.  This is exactly what Buddhism has taught me; each and every one of us holds the power to rid our lives of suffering. 

            The ‘Four Noble Truths’ include suffering, the arising of suffering, the cessation of suffering (well-being), and how well-being arises.  Each of the four noble truths is comprised of three turnings of the Dharma wheel. In order to understand and experience these fours noble truths, you must know that practicing each of the twelve turnings of the Dharma wheel is necessary.  The turnings of suffering consist of recognizing that there is suffering, encouraging that suffering should be understood and realizing that suffering is understood.(Nhá̂t, 30)  The three turnings of the arising of suffering include the recognition that there is a dishonorable way that has led to suffering, encouragement that the dishonorable way should be understood and lastly the realization that the dishonorable way be understood. (Nhá̂t, 30)  The three turnings of the cessation of suffering are the recognition that well-being is possible, the encouragement that well-being be attained and the realization that well-being is attained. (Nhá̂t, 30)  Lastly, the three turnings of how well-being arises consist of recognition that there is a noble path that leads to well-being, encouragement that the noble path has to be lived and the realization that the noble path is being lived.  This noble pathway is called the ‘Eightfold Path’. (Nhá̂t, 30)

            The ‘Eightfold Path’ includes practicing right-view, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right diligence (right effort), right mindfulness, and right concentration. First, right view is a deep understanding of one’s suffering and knowing that it can be changed or transformed. (Nhá̂t, 51) Right thinking reflects the way things really are and has the power to bring your body and mind back together as one. (Nhá̂t, 59)  Right mindfulness is the true heart of Buddhist teachings. It is “...the energy that brings us back to the present moment.”(Nhá̂t, 64)  Right speech includes speaking truthfully, not speaking with a “forked tongue” and not speaking cruelly. (Nhá̂t, 85)  Right action is handling the body with mindfulness.  This includes never causing harm and practicing non-violence to all. (Nhá̂t, 94)    Right diligence is putting your energy to things that encompass the eightfold path but not too deeply so that you are taken away from reality.  Right concentration is to obtain evenness in your mind. (Nhá̂t, 105) Right livelihood means to conduct yourself in such a way that you are not giving up your morals of love and compassion to make a living. (Nhá̂t, 113)

            Everyone experiences suffering in their life, it is necessary.  By practicing the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Eightfold Path’ Buddhists believe you have the ability to put an end to the suffering in your life.  As the Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching states, “The cessation of suffering—well-being—is available if you know how to enjoy the precious jewels you already have. You have eyes that can see, lungs that can breathe, legs that can walk and lips that can smile. When you are suffering, look deeply at your situation and find the conditions for happiness that are already there, already available.” (Nhá̂t, 41) It doesn’t matter how much or how little a person owns or the circumstances they may have in their lives.  Everyone can find good in their life and immerse themselves into the path to enlightenment.  Only by following the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Eightfold Path’ can one ultimately end the suffering in their life.
          The 'Four Noble Truths' and the 'Eightfold Path' are both things that I want to encompass into my own life.  Everyone has suffering.  I have experienced a great deal of suffering and loss of loved ones very dear to me.  I feel that the Buddhist teachings take a unique approach to recognizing and dealing with suffering.  I know what it feels like to be in so much pain that you feel like you can't move on from the suffering that you are experiencing.  Just as the Buddhists preach, if you look at all of the good things in your life you can find happiness present.  You can find happiness even if you have lost so much.  Buddhism has taught me that this is important to always remember.

   I fully believe that by understanding and practicing the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Eightfold Path’ you then have the ability to end the suffering that is burdening your life, both body and mind.  No matter how bad life may seem there is always goodness present.  You just need to be aware of the goodness and understand it.  One must be present, mindful and moral to achieve this.  The Buddhist teachings can put you on the path to a more peaceful, joyous and happier life.

Works Cited

Nhá̂t, Hạnh. The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming Suffering into Peace, Joy & Liberation : The Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path, and Other Basic Buddhist Teachings. New York: Broadway, 1999. Print.

White, Brian. "A Basic Buddhism Guide: 5 Minute Introduction." A Basic Buddhism Guide: 5 Minute Introduction. BDEA/BuddhaNet, 1993. Web. 02 Apr. 2013.