Buddhist word Dukkha is hard to translate, into any language. Arguably even in its native language Sanskrit :).
Here - this is an attempt to give a hint, a suggestion of a hint, about what it is about.
Often translated as suffering or unsatisfactoriness. But neither of those really translate it at all well. Because ordinary happiness when you are having a great time - that also is Dukkha.
Because though probably you don't see its unsatisfatoriness - yet - that great time won't last for ever.
So - anything, including wholesome things like exercise, having fun with friends, enjoying helping others, doesn't matter what it is.
So - most people know that at some level, that these happinesses are not permanent solutions - and you just need to look around to get reminded of it continuously.
And - it's not saying that there is anything wrong at all with having a great time, or that you should go around looking at things and saying "this is unsatisfactory", "that is unsatisfactory", "this other thing is unsastisfactory" or anything like that.
Just to relate to everything as it is including the pleasure, fun, happiness etc.
You don't have to kind of change that into something it isn't. Trying to pretend to yourself it is "suffering" or unsatisfactory - when you don't really see it like that - that is just deluding yourself :).
And then - the only reason for contemplating dukkha is because you can be free from it - and all other beings also - otherwise what's the point?
Might as well be happy but slightly deluded if there is nothing that anyone can do about it.
So - all of that is encapsulated in this word Dukkha.
And - though I've tried to touch on it here, I don't understand the word either, not really.
You only see the unsatisfactoriness (or whatever dukkha is) properly when you finally let go of it :).
Because - in a way the cause of dukkha is wrapped right up into everything as well. And the whole thing is like an illusion, a dream, a play of shadows dancing over reality. Less substantial even than that.
And you don't have to make an effort to give up the cause of all this dukkha. If you see it properly, you let go instantly, like someone letting go of a hot coal that they find they've been clutching in their hand.
All of the Buddha's teaching is there, in this one word, if you understand it properly.
So in that sense, you only really understand it if you are Buddha, and have seen through the illusions, and dropped your clinging to the causes of dukkha (whatever it is that word really means).
So, in a way, that's a word that can't be translated properly into any language :). Even its native Sanskrit.
All anyone can do is to give hints.
(talking about the most subtle aspect of Dukkha here - word has many levels of meaning including ordinary suffering, but is only when you see dukkha in everything, indeed even time and space - as ordinarily understood- as dukkha - that you can finally let go of its cause completely - as Buddha did under the Bodhi tree).
Here - this is an attempt to give a hint, a suggestion of a hint, about what it is about.
Often translated as suffering or unsatisfactoriness. But neither of those really translate it at all well. Because ordinary happiness when you are having a great time - that also is Dukkha.
Because though probably you don't see its unsatisfatoriness - yet - that great time won't last for ever.
So - anything, including wholesome things like exercise, having fun with friends, enjoying helping others, doesn't matter what it is.
So - most people know that at some level, that these happinesses are not permanent solutions - and you just need to look around to get reminded of it continuously.
And - it's not saying that there is anything wrong at all with having a great time, or that you should go around looking at things and saying "this is unsatisfactory", "that is unsatisfactory", "this other thing is unsastisfactory" or anything like that.
Just to relate to everything as it is including the pleasure, fun, happiness etc.
You don't have to kind of change that into something it isn't. Trying to pretend to yourself it is "suffering" or unsatisfactory - when you don't really see it like that - that is just deluding yourself :).
And then - the only reason for contemplating dukkha is because you can be free from it - and all other beings also - otherwise what's the point?
Might as well be happy but slightly deluded if there is nothing that anyone can do about it.
So - all of that is encapsulated in this word Dukkha.
And - though I've tried to touch on it here, I don't understand the word either, not really.
You only see the unsatisfactoriness (or whatever dukkha is) properly when you finally let go of it :).
Because - in a way the cause of dukkha is wrapped right up into everything as well. And the whole thing is like an illusion, a dream, a play of shadows dancing over reality. Less substantial even than that.
And you don't have to make an effort to give up the cause of all this dukkha. If you see it properly, you let go instantly, like someone letting go of a hot coal that they find they've been clutching in their hand.
All of the Buddha's teaching is there, in this one word, if you understand it properly.
So in that sense, you only really understand it if you are Buddha, and have seen through the illusions, and dropped your clinging to the causes of dukkha (whatever it is that word really means).
So, in a way, that's a word that can't be translated properly into any language :). Even its native Sanskrit.
All anyone can do is to give hints.
(talking about the most subtle aspect of Dukkha here - word has many levels of meaning including ordinary suffering, but is only when you see dukkha in everything, indeed even time and space - as ordinarily understood- as dukkha - that you can finally let go of its cause completely - as Buddha did under the Bodhi tree).
About the Author
Robert Walker
Writer of articles on Mars and Space issues - Software Developer of Tune Smithy, Bounce Metronome etc.Studied at Wolfson College, Oxford
Lives in Isle of Mull
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