The world is full of suffering—this is the truth revealed by the Buddha. Life is entangled in the “Eight Sufferings.”
Some may say, “How is that possible? I’m very happy right now!”
Sigh! That’s only because you haven’t truly reflected on the deeper realities of life. As the saying goes: “Extreme joy begets sorrow.” No matter how happy you may be—whether you’ve gained power or wealth—after the joy fades, suffering inevitably follows. In this world, there is no such thing as everlasting happiness. Joy is temporary, while suffering seems to stretch from one lifetime to the next.
The suffering of birth, aging, illness, and death…
The suffering of being separated from loved ones…
The suffering of unfulfilled desires…
The suffering of having to endure those you resent…
The suffering arising from the five aggregates (form, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness)…
These forms of suffering constantly press upon us. We live struggling between the cracks of hardship.
Recently, I witnessed a woman who suffered due to her resentment toward others.
That day, my husband and I attended a company annual dinner. The boss happened to be from my husband’s hometown. During the meal, a server accidentally bumped into a woman sitting near me, spilling red wine all over her clothes. The server immediately apologized in a panic.
The woman suddenly stood up and shouted, “This dress is expensive! Can you afford to pay for it?”
Because she wouldn’t let the matter go, the atmosphere turned tense. On one side were harsh words, and on the other, endless bowing and apologizing…
I couldn’t bear to watch and tried to calm her down, suggesting that the dress could just be taken to the dry cleaner—no need to get angry.
But the woman’s face was red with rage, and she glared fiercely at the server. The poor server was terrified, and the manager rushed over to apologize and offered to help pay for the cleaning. Even the woman’s husband looked embarrassed and tried to soothe her: “Let’s just eat. Don’t mind it. We’ll wash it at home. It’s just a few hundred dollars. I’ll buy you a new one…”
Still, the woman was full of anger and couldn’t calm down.
At that moment, I thought to myself—if only the wine had spilled on me instead. It’s just a dress. Everything is impermanent anyway. No matter how expensive or pretty the dress is, it won’t be as cherished in a few months.
But due to her resentment and attachment, she lost her peace of mind and what little joy she might have had.
In the end, the server had to give her a red envelope (a compensation gift), and only then did she grudgingly return to her seat. But by then, most of the dishes on the table had already been eaten, and all that was left were scraps.
So she sat down to eat those leftovers while still seething with anger, mumbling continuously about the dress…
This is how ordinary people behave. For something as trivial as a dress, we suffer through frustration and resentment.
How much more so with the greater challenges in life?
Throughout our lives, we go through countless types of suffering: aging, illness, worry, anxiety, heartbreak… too many to count.
So how can we transform suffering into joy?
Listening to the Dharma discourses of Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III, I have learned methods to steer away from suffering.
Only by having deep faith in the law of cause and effect (karma) and never straying from it can we learn to accept life’s situations with peace of mind.
Letting go of ego, practicing self-cultivation—this is the way to distance ourselves from suffering and naturally increase joy in our lives.
Since beginning my Buddhist practice, my suffering has decreased, my happiness has grown, my complaints have lessened, and my sense of gratitude has increased.
I no longer obsess over problems; instead, I reflect on them through the lens of cause and effect, and resolve things within myself.
Isn’t this, in a way, a form of transforming suffering into joy?
Even though it is still within the worldly realm, at least I’m no longer being chased endlessly by suffering.
Yet, this kind of joy is still worldly—it does not last.
To gain true liberation from the cycle of birth and death and be freed from all sufferings, one must combine Dharma study and practice, and ultimately be reborn in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.
Only there can one attain eternal happiness and joy.
The Western Pure Land is one of the countless Pure Lands across ten trillion Buddha realms—completely free of even the slightest trace of karmic darkness.
As written in “Learning From Buddha” by Namo Dorje Chang Buddha III:
“What is meant by pure karma? It is where there is no dark karma, no avidya, no affliction, no mutual
deception, no selfish fighting, and no killing, massacre, or horror. There is only benevolence, pure
kindness, compassion, caring, and respect. There is no pain or suffering, only well-being and
happiness. As Shakyamuni Buddha said, there are worlds where the three kinds of supernormal
cognition and six supernormal powers can be applied at will, where good fortune
and bliss are enjoyed. That is a Buddha-land world.”
How blissful the Buddha Lands are!
Wouldn’t you like to enter them?
Do you want to continue being chased by suffering, or turn around and walk toward happiness?
I believe that someone as wise as you already knows the best answer.
Written by: Mo’er
#DorjeChangBuddhaIII #HHDorjeChangBuddhaIII
Thank you for sharing
🙏🪷🙏