Sufferings of the human realm (birth, old age, sickness and death)
The sufferings in the six realms
The suffering of the human realm
All sentient beings in the human realm are busy every day. From the day we were born to the day we die we relentlessly pursue our desires, wishing for eternal happiness, but getting nothing in return. All of us are fragile beings and we easily feel pain. We spend almost every day worried and ;ind it hard to feel at peace. For instance, we worry constantly about whether is it safe to travel, about the state of our health, whether we are wearing enough and will we catch a cold, have we eaten something bad, maybe someone is threatening our interests and wants to take our wealth. When prices have gone up, we are concerned about whether we can get enough to eat. We may be distressed at the thought of growing old, as well as displaying many other anxieties. There are very few people who have a consistently contented life, with 90% of people having many concerns and worries. Finally, life ends and we do not know where we are going afterwards.
According to the sutras, the ills of the five skandhas (five aggregates) include birth, old age, sickness, death, not getting what we want, separation from loved ones, encountering things we dislike. The suffering of birth is described in the sutras: the baby suffers in its mother’s womb and at birth. The suffering of old age is accompanied by the ageing of our bodies, like the deterioration of a house: our back becomes bent, our hair becomes grey, our face develops wrinkles, we experience difficulties walking and talking, we are not able to see or hear clearly. Life is like an opera company, even though we would like to continue performing, we will gradually be replaced by younger generations, cast aside or left in the background. In these circumstances, many people feel anxious about death. The suffering of sickness means that when we are ill we have no appetite, we cannot sleep, we feel that something is wrong with our whole body. Some sickness is unbearable, and the medication tastes bitter. We might even have to undergo an operation. Sometimes we worry about the medical fees, and sometimes we worry about when we will die.
The ultimate suffering occurs at the moment of death, which is the most painful experience in the human realm. At the time of death, due to our attachment to our family, friends, and possessions, we are afraid of leaving behind all the things we are familiar with, in particular our precious body. When we enter our unknown next life, we feel helpless, horrified, and sad. In the process of dying the four elements, earth, water, fire, and wind disintegrate. During this process our bodies will experience such immense pain. It is said that the pain is like ripping the shell off a live turtle. The suffering of the Bardo is unspeakable. Duoluo Rinpoche describes the pain experienced in the Bardo, “After death, the body manifests itself in the Bardos, and it is naked with all body parts, just like the body in the human realm. The winds of karma constrain us. There is no freedom. Gradually, darkness falls and there are cries of people on the battlefields. Many people have to endure the pain of extreme hot and cold weather, hunger and thirst. Flesh-eating and other ghosts chase people with weapons. There are also horrifying animals around them. Ferocious torment and darkness only add to the terrifying environment. The mountains collapse, the lakes flood, the fires soar, and storms emit all kinds of terrifying sounds. The people are horrified and run around aimlessly.”
The suffering of meeting what we dislike is exemplified by often being forced to work with people who are our enemies, being trapped by other people, encountering disasters, going to undesirable environments due to the pressures of earning a living, having to do things that we do not find enjoyable. The suffering of parting from loved ones arises as a result of having to leave behind people we love, and things that we enjoy. The suffering generated by not getting what we want results from always pursuing things that are hard to obtain, and worrying about losing things that we already have. No matter how hard we try, we might not get what we desire, for example failure in important exams, bereavement, loss of jobs, money, and business.
We suffer all the ills of the five skandhas, by which everyone is bound. With respect to our body, we need to eat and drink, we fear pain, and we have to endure significant suffering just to satisfy our body’s needs. All in all, in the three lower realms there is almost no joy, only long lasting suffering. In the three higher realms, there might be temporary joy but it is like a rainbow, which disappears after a short while. As stated in the Thirty-Seven Practices of Bodhisattvas by Nguluchu Thogme Zangpo, “The pleasures of the three worlds are like a dewdrop on the tip of a blade of grass, which evaporates in a moment.” There is no haven of eternal peace in samsara. No matter where we go in samsara, we feel like we are running in a burning building, and are full of pain.
We ought to reflect on being continually being reborn in samsara. How many times did we suffer in the hot or cold hells? How many times did we suffer the hunger and thirst of hungry ghosts? How many times did we suffer as animals. How many times were our heads chopped off, skin and flesh torn apart? How much have we suffered and cried? Who can guarantee that at the moment when we die we will descend into the hell realm or become a hungry and thirsty ghost, who can only wander around suffering? Or maybe we could become a dog, or a frog? As humans, we cannot even endure a little thirst, cold, heat, or sickness. When we have just a little headache or toothache, we cannot bear it. If we fall into the three lower realms, how will we endure the pain there? Who will rescue us?!
Our current situation is perilous, like a huge pit of fire. What do we gain from craving?! When we are facing such imminent and intense pain, how can we waste time in laziness and procrastination? H.H. Milarepa said, “The pain of this life may be harsh; the pain of our future life will be even more intense. Therefore, in considering our own future, prepare with maximum effort.”
Living in the three worlds and six realms,
The pain, like a poisonous sword, is unbearable,
All sentient beings suffer constantly with only a little joy,
Therefore, study the ultra-secret path of liberation.