7.3. Giving Up Interest in Dukkha

Understanding we are immersed in structural dukkha, how can we get out of it?

The solution the Buddha proposed is a very practical one. Stop being interested and clinging onto things which only cause dukkha. Drop them immediately.

The same way that dropping a burning hot coal brings instant relief, dropping interest in dukkha brings instant relief.

"yaṃ kho, rādha, dukkhaṃ tatra te chando pahātabbo.
SN35.77 rādhadukkhasuttaṃ

Rādha, whatever is dukkha, right there, the interest in it should be abandoned.

It's possible to see things in a radical new way. Before we were enchanted by the six fields of sense experience. Later this perception clearly arises.

dukkhameva uppajjamānaṃ uppajjati, dukkhaṃ nirujjhamānaṃ nirujjhatīti na kaṅkhati na vicikicchati. aparappaccayā ñāṇamevassa ettha hoti. ettāvatā kho, kaccāna, sammādiṭṭhi hoti.
SN22.90 channasutta

One has no doubt or uncertainty that what arises is only dukkha arising, what ceases is only dukkha ceasing. One's understanding of this is not dependent on others. To this extent, there is right view.

There are some powerful benefits to maintaining this awareness discussed in Aṅguttara Nikāya:

"cha, bhikkhave, ānisaṃse sampassamānena alameva bhikkhunā sabbasaṅkhāresu anodhiṃ karitvā dukkhasaññaṃ upaṭṭhāpetuṃ. katame cha? ‘sabbasaṅkhāresu ca me nibbidasaññā paccupaṭṭhitā bhavissati, seyyathāpi ukkhittāsike vadhake. sabbalokā ca me mano vuṭṭhahissati, nibbāne ca santadassāvī bhavissāmi, anusayā ca me samugghātaṃ gacchissanti , kiccakārī ca bhavissāmi, satthā ca me pariciṇṇo bhavissati mettāvatāyā’ti.
AN6.103 ukkhittāsikasuttaṃ

Monks, seeing six benefits, it is suitable for a monastic to establish the perception of dukkha in all conditioned things, without exception.

What six?

1. The perception of disenchantment in regard to all conditioned things will be established in me, like a murderer with a raised sword.
2. My mind will rise above the entire world.
3. I will perceive nibbāna as peace.
4. The underlying tendencies will be eradicated.
5. I will be doing what should be done.
6. I will have served the teacher with kindness.

Through seeing this inherent nature of dukkha in every conditioned thing, we give up the interest in and desire for it, as echoed in the famous Dhammapada verse:

"sabbe saṅkhārā dukkhā"ti,
yadā paññāya passati,
atha nibbindati dukkhe,
esa maggo visuddhiyā.
DHP20 Dhammpada, maggavagga, verse 278

Everything fabricated is dukkha,
When one sees this with understanding,
Then one gets disenchanted with suffering,
This is the path to purification.

With that, let's practice.

Meditation on giving up interest in dukkha

Q&A

Q: Do you have any questions or doubts at this point?

References