English Literature – Articles ☆ Meditate Like The Buddha # 12: The End of suffering ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆

Lesson 10

The Buddha taught the reality of suffering, its cause, and the path to its cessation:

1. There is suffering.
2. The cause of suffering is craving.
3. There is a way to the end of suffering.
4. The way to the end of suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path:
   • Right View
   • Right Intention
   • Right Speech
   • Right Action
   • Right Livelihood
   • Right Effort
   • Right Mindfulness
   • Right Concentration

Understanding Suffering

• Suffering must be understood.
• The source and origin of suffering must be understood.
• The cessation of suffering must be understood.
• The way leading to the cessation of suffering must be understood.

Suffering encompasses:

• Birth, old age, illness, and death.
• Sorrow, lamentation, pain, dejection, and anguish.
• Not obtaining what one desires.
• The five aggregates subject to clinging.

Craving is the source of suffering. When craving ceases, suffering also ceases. The Noble Eightfold Path leads to this liberation.

Contemplating the Cessation of Suffering

Let us continue meditating with the contemplations of wisdom. After reflecting on impermanence and fading away, focus on the cessation of suffering:

• Breathe in, focusing on cessation. Breathe out, focusing on cessation.
• Always mindful, breathe in; mindful, breathe out.

Contemplating the Removal of Taints

Progressing further in meditation, turn your focus to the removal of taints.

• The taints must be understood.
• The source and origin of taints must be understood.
• The cessation of taints must be understood.
• The way leading to the cessation of taints must be understood.

The three taints are:

1. The taint of sensuality.
2. The taint of existence.
3. The taint of ignorance.

Ignorance is the root cause of these taints. When ignorance ceases, the taints also cease. The Noble Eightfold Path provides the means to achieve this.

Relinquishing Defilements

As you breathe, contemplate the relinquishment of defilements:

• Breathe in, focusing on relinquishment. Breathe out, focusing on relinquishment.
• Ever mindful, breathe in; mindful, breathe out.

Closing the Practice

With a pure and peaceful mind, dedicate your practice to the welfare of all sentient beings:

• May all beings be happy, be peaceful, be liberated.

When ready, gently open your eyes and emerge from meditation, carrying forward the wisdom and compassion cultivated during your practice.

English Literature – Articles ☆ Meditate Like The Buddha # 11: Developing Wisdom ☆ Mr. Jagat Singh Bisht ☆