Buddhism in Plain Terms Episode 15 (An Excerpt)
Let’s talk about this phrase today: “To frown and wear a troubled look” (愁眉苦脸). In ancient times, the word “frown” (愁眉) is a make-up technique while the word “troubled look” (苦脸) has its root in the Buddhist teachings. According to the Buddhist teachings, life is a sea of suffering.
In this sea of bitterness the disposition of a human’s face resembles the word “suffering” (“苦”字).
The two eyebrows resemble the top section of the word; followed by a nose and a mouth. This goes to show that a human’s face is a natural depiction of suffering, hence, the bitter face. This is to tell us that we didn’t come to this world to enjoy ourselves. In fact, the phrase “To frown and wear a troubled look” is a term in Buddhism.
The Eight Sufferings in Life
Master Jun Hong Lu’s
World Buddhist Fellowship Meeting
Milan, Italy
25 September 2017
THE EIGHT SUFFERINGS
The Buddha thought us about the Eight Sufferings in life. Birth, Aging, Sickness and Death are the first four sufferings.
1. Birth (生)
Isn’t it painful when a child is born? The suffering already begins even before birth, as the child is able to feel the physical sensation in the womb. When a mother drinks hot soup, the foetus will find it unbearably warm. When a mother eats ice cream, the foetus will find it similarly uncomfortable. Isn’t being born painful? This is the truth of birth.
2. Ageing (老)
Isn’t ageing uncomfortable? You might wish to head out, but your legs fail you. You might wish to eat something, but your teeth fail you. Isn’t growing older a form of suffering? You are unable to do anything you wish to do.
3. Sickness (病)
It is needless to say that sickness is a form of pain and suffering.
4. Death (死)
Death is something that everyone is afraid of and involves even more suffering. Regardless of how much wealth and fame that you possess, no one can escape birth, ageing, sickness and death. It is very fair and that is why they are known as the four sufferings.
5. Having to leave the one you love (爱别离苦)
When you love someone deeply but you are forced to leave the person, isn’t that miserable? Just take a look at the train stations and airports. They are the prime examples for places of farewells; “Good bye, when will you come back?”
6. Unattainable wish (求不得苦)
The sixth suffering is being unable to get what you wish for. If you pray very hard for something in vain, isn’t that painful? This is the most painful experience. If your prayers are always unanswered, won’t you be suffering?
7. Being with the ones you detest (怨憎会苦)
The next suffering is hatred and resentment. If you are forced to interact daily with someone you dislike at work, wouldn’t you be upset? Resentment is a form of karmic grievance while hatred can be understood in context as having to see a person you loathe everyday. There is a traditional Chinese idiom that says, “The road of enemies is narrow”.
8. Ills of the Five Yin (五阴炽盛)
Finally, there is the suffering of The Five Yin. There are five things that are Yin in nature. It is an invisible working of the mind involving form, feeling, perception, volition and consciousness. What goes on in the mind is unknown to others, including your desires, love and hate towards others. When these are blazing within you, they will burn just like a fire, causing you much suffering!
Wenda20120812B 21:55
(Master Jun Hong Lu’s call-in radio program)
(An Excerpt)
THE RIGHT MENTAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE EIGHT SUFFERINGS OF LIFE
Caller: At times, we may develop a sudden realisation that our parents or those who have been with us for many years will depart eventually. Perhaps, they would end up in a better place and this would be good for them. However, those they leave behind will still be very sad. In this regard, what sort of mental attitude should we adopt towards birth, ageing, sickness, death and the rest of the Eight Sufferings？
Master Jun Hong Lu: Everyone must go through the Eight Sufferings as long as they are in the human realm, isn‘t that right?
Caller: Yes.
Master Jun Hong Lu: We must be sincere and have a sense of guilt. This explains why, many religions such as Christianity and Catholicism say from the outset that “all men are sinners”.
Many cannot accept this and rebuke, “What am I guilty of? How am I suppose to know this?” The fact is, as long as we come to this world, we have basically sinned, guilty of committing something wrong in our previous lives. There is no perfection in the human world. Hence, it will not be possible for one to expect something flawless in a world of imperfections.
Caller: That’s true.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Now that you are here in this environment, you must accept it as a training ground. Once you are in this world, you can’t escape the pain of having to leave the ones you love, and the sufferings of birth, ageing, sickness and death. Hence, you must accept these harsh realities of life. Even if you do not accept these realities and evade them, you would still need to bear your sins.
Caller: Well, perhaps we just have to endure these pains.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes, but endurance is only one part of the practice. As Buddhist practitioners, we can resolve these sufferings by relying on Bodhisattva to help us see through them all.
Caller: In the beginning, we may still wallow in sorrow, but this will slowly fade away over time.
Master Jun Hong Lu: Yes. We must understand that we are here to go through the suffering and there is no two-ways about it. However, we may pray to Bodhisattva to liberate us from these sufferings, so that we don’t feel so much agony in our hearts. Although we may not be ready to forget, we have to learn to let go. By learning to do so, there will come a day when you are capable of letting go. Failing which, you’ll never be able to let go.
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