Buddhism has been called a monotheistic religion, as it does not insist upon belief in one God, but rather focuses on self -power to achieve liberation (Chamberlain College of Nursing, 2019). According to Molloy (2013), “Dukkha encompasses the whole range, from horrible suffering to everyday frustration.” To use the term suffering for dukkha is extremely misleading. I think to achieve true nirvana by using the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths are a linked chain of truths about life: (1) suffering exists; (2) it has a cause; (3) it has an end; and (4) there is a way to attain release from suffering (Molloy, 2013, p132). We must realize one thing that suffering is inevitable. When you understand the fact that everything is temporary that nothing is permanent in this world. For example, the joy of buying new flowers you have begun to embrace the sukkah comes with the inevitable grief of their death. Buddha believed that all life was suffering. I think what he was trying to convey is everything is temporary everything is fleeting. Once we deal with the fact that everything including us is temporary, then we can truly begin the path to nirvana and letting go of desire and dukkha. Buddha did not communicate in English, so he did not use the English word, “suffering”. What he stated through the earliest existence, is that life is dukkha.



Reference:

Chamberlain College of Nursing, 2019, Week 3 Lesson.

Molloy, M., (2013). Experiencing the World’s Religion: Tradition, Challenge, and Change

(6th ed.). New York City, NY: McGraw-Hill