The Eight Sufferings, Part Two

The fifth suffering is separation from loved ones. As much as we may love our parents or children, we find ourselves forced to leave them when our work takes us elsewhere. Sometimes we are separated from those we love because of war or disaster. We are forced to leave those we love. It is difficult to describe such suffering. When we are dying, we not only have to leave those we love. For some, having to leave their possessions is almost as painful.

The sixth suffering is association with those we dislike. In school, as children we had to change classes, it seems that we always ended up being separated from our friends and sitting next to those we did not like. This was so uncomfortable. When we have someone we dislike at work, have people who are jealous of us, or try to take advantage of us, we suffer. Although we hope to never see them again, it seems that we constantly encounter them. And each time we see them something always happens and we have so many afflictions. This happens all too often in our lives.

The seventh suffering is unfulfilled desires. Wanting to go east, we go west. We want to do something or meet someone, but things do not work out. It seems things just do not go as we wish. Even those who are wealthy or powerful often fail to get what they want.

The eighth suffering is that having to do with the five aggregates. This is the origin of our suffering. The power of the five aggregates is very strong and thus they cover our self-nature making our mind unclear so we cannot tell right from wrong. This brings us infinite suffering. The five aggregates are form (body), feeling (totality of the mind), and perception, impulse, and consciousness (mental functions).

The five aggregates lead us to have the mind of greed, anger, and ignorance. Because of the first seven suffering, the five aggregates occur. Because of the five aggregates, the first seven sufferings occur.

Thus, the eight sufferings are like a circle—continuous and never-ending—unless we practice. Practice will enable us to see through and break free.