Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

vlyons

(10,252 posts)
Sat Nov 20, 2021, 04:27 AM Nov 2021

These are very hard times

"These are very hard times. When we feel we are emerging, BAM, another difficulty arises. This is what the Buddha called the suffering of suffering, one suffering upon another. How can we maintain our sanity, let alone joy? Remember others who are suffering in the same way, one after another. Realize as with all things, these sufferings are impermanent. If you can, recognize that we are clearing out negative karma from the past, and rejoice. Finally, all appearances are false. Loosen your grip on a fixed objective reality, particularly of the one suffering, yourself. Emaho!"

--- The 14th Dalai Lama

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
These are very hard times (Original Post) vlyons Nov 2021 OP
Thank you for posting. madaboutharry Nov 2021 #1
🙏 ashredux Nov 2021 #2
Let us hope. Joinfortmill Nov 2021 #3
A Taoist might see sfuffering as multigraincracker Nov 2021 #4
No, a Taoist wouldn't consider what a person might call suffering as "suffering" wackadoo wabbit Nov 2021 #6
I have always took the story of the wild horse multigraincracker Nov 2021 #7
The human species is bad. I think climate change will do its job. johnthewoodworker Nov 2021 #5

wackadoo wabbit

(1,217 posts)
6. No, a Taoist wouldn't consider what a person might call suffering as "suffering"
Sat Nov 20, 2021, 09:15 PM
Nov 2021

Taoists believe that everything is just as it should be. Nothing is "suffering."

Here're a couple of links that might explain it better than I can:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_vinegar_tasters#Taoism_(Daoism)

https://www.thechurning.net/there-are-no-opportunities-or-threats-the-parable-of-the-taoist-farmer/

multigraincracker

(34,334 posts)
7. I have always took the story of the wild horse
Sun Nov 21, 2021, 01:03 AM
Nov 2021

as an example of the mutual interdependence of polar opposites, a basic of Taoism. Both good and bad arise together. Without one there would no reason to name it or the other. If all luck was good it would not need a name. Names are only symbols used to separate. Without bad luck there would no reason to name good luck. The farmer understood that when his neighbors told him he was lucky and when they thought he was unlucky. The farmer knew they were like heads and tails of the same coin. That is the Yin and Yang.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Buddhism»These are very hard times