Dukkha

Dukkha is translated as suffering or unsatisfactoriness. It is the unsatisfactoriness due to impermanence of conditioned realities. When panna (right understanding) has been developed to the degree that enlightenment can be attained, the four noble Truths are penetrated, which are: dukkha, the origination of dukka, the cessation of dukkha and the Path leading to the cessation of dukkha. The origination of dukkha is craving. The Buddha explained that so long as there is craving there will dukkha. There will be the arising and falling away of nama nad rupa again and again and this is dukkha. When the last citta of this life, dying-consciousness, has fallen away, it will be succeeded by the first citta of next life, the rebirth-consciousness. At rebirth there is again arising and falling away of nama and rupa, and this is dukkha. Ignorance and craving are the conditions for the continuation in the cycle of birth and death, and so long as we are in this cycle there is dukkha. When wisdom has been fully developed all defilements are eradicated and this means the end of rebirth, the end of dukkha.