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.


Topic 73