2.2 The origin of suffering

The origin of suffering, or samudaya, is a key concept in Buddhism. It explains why we experience pain and dissatisfaction in life. The Buddha identified ignorance, craving, and clinging as the root causes of our struggles.

These causes lead to a cycle of rebirth and ongoing suffering. By understanding the three unwholesome roots - greed, hatred, and delusion - we can begin to address the source of our problems and work towards liberation from suffering.

The Origin of Suffering (Samudaya)

Origin of dukkha

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• Samudaya is the second of the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism which refers to the origin or cause of dukkha (suffering, unsatisfactoriness)
• According to the Buddha, the root causes of dukkha are ignorance (avijja) about the true nature of reality, craving (tanha) for sensory pleasures, existence, and non-existence, and clinging (upadana) to the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness)
• These causes lead to the arising of dukkha and the perpetuation of the cycle of rebirth (samsara)
• Examples of dukkha include physical pain, emotional distress, and existential dissatisfaction

Three causes of dukkha

• The three unwholesome roots (akusala-mula) that give rise to dukkha are greed (lobha), hatred (dosa), and delusion (moha)
• Greed (lobha) is the desire for sensual pleasures, material possessions, and self-gratification (wealth, status, power)
• Hatred (dosa) is aversion, anger, and ill-will towards others or unpleasant experiences (resentment, jealousy, aggression)
• Delusion (moha) is ignorance about the true nature of reality, the Four Noble Truths, and the law of karma (misconceptions, wrong views)
• These unwholesome roots are the underlying causes of unwholesome actions (kamma) that lead to dukkha (harmful speech, unethical behavior)

Ignorance and dukkha

• Ignorance (avijja) is the fundamental cause of dukkha and refers to the lack of understanding about the Four Noble Truths (dukkha, samudaya, nirodha, and magga), the law of karma (actions and their consequences), and the three characteristics of existence (anicca, dukkha, and anatta)
• Due to ignorance, beings engage in unwholesome actions that lead to the arising of dukkha (self-centered behavior, attachment to impermanent things)
• Ignorance also leads to the formation of the five aggregates, which are subject to dukkha (identifying with the body, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness as a permanent self)
• Examples of ignorance include not recognizing the impermanence of all phenomena and believing in a permanent, unchanging self

Craving in dukkha cycle

• Craving (tanha) is the desire for sensory pleasures, existence, and non-existence which arises due to ignorance and the mistaken belief that satisfying cravings will lead to happiness
• There are three types of craving:
  1. Kama-tanha: craving for sensual pleasures (food, sex, entertainment)
  2. Bhava-tanha: craving for existence and becoming (rebirth, eternal life)
  3. Vibhava-tanha: craving for non-existence or self-annihilation (nihilism, escapism)
• Craving leads to clinging (upadana) to the five aggregates, which perpetuates the cycle of rebirth (samsara)
• As long as craving persists, beings remain trapped in the cycle of dukkha (addiction, compulsive behavior, dissatisfaction)
• Examples of craving include the constant pursuit of pleasure, the desire for fame and recognition, and the wish to escape from reality