How to overcome suffering?
Buddha has expounded suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering and the path leading to the cessation of suffering. Certainly, but from a more practical viewpoint, the question that arises is: “What to do, concretely , to succeed in overcoming this ignorance, in rooting out the causes of this misery?”
There is all the same a small work to be done; it does not occur as if by magic. To hope that the “great spirit” is going to bestow us its grace, according to him, that does not work – I besides myself tried it over ten years, and it didn’t work! He therefore proposes another approach, a little more pragmatic one, which is a work to be done within us. Besides, he utilises the word “work”. This work is threefold…
At first, it is advisable to manage to evolve in a living environment which is based on a fundamental ethics and to lead a virtuous life. That doesn’t forcibly mean to “become a monk”, remote prospect. The monk is supposed, at virtue’s level, to be a kind of professional in this field. Regrettably, it is not always the case. The idea of this virtuous behaviour, in fact, lies in not being aggressive: no murder, no violence, no theft, no adultery, no lie, no consumption of any intoxicating drinks. To him, it does constitute the basic pillar.
At a second stage, backing up with this virtuous behaviour, we will be fit to do this work remaining to be done. Then, we do proceed to concentration and meditation. These meditative exercises are useful to develop concentration, a full presence of mind. A completely fickle spirit, which is not controlled, won’t be able to do much.
At a third stage, once we have laid down these two foundations, which are virtue and meditation, we are going to proceed to the development of that which Buddha calls “intelligence”, “wisdom”, which is the pinnacle of the practice. It is the final straight line, which leads to awakening, to liberation. It is neither a meditation, nor an exercise, even less a prayer or a ritual. It is direct inner sight into reality, that’s all! It is easy to say, but no easy task to do.
– Par le moine Sásana
– Source : www.dhammadana.org
– Suffering and the end of suffering
