An Analytical Study of Suffering Appeared in Written Works of Somdet Phra Buddhaghosacariya (P.A. Payutto)

Abstract

The aims of this research were: 1) to study the suffering (dukkha) that appears in the Theravada Buddhist scriptures; 2) to study the suffering in the viewpoint of Somdet Phra Buddhaghosacariya (P.A. Payutto); 3) to analytically study his methods for explaining the suffering. This study was carried out by means of documentary research methodology.
The research results revealed that: suffering refers to stressful conditions found in many Buddhist scriptures. The Lord Buddha taught only the suffering and the cessation of suffering. In this regard, suffering is divided into two main categories, namely Kāyikadukkha (Physical Suffering) and Cetasikadukkha (Mental Suffering). All human lives fall into the state of suffering with deterioration and changes. Therefore, Buddhism taught people to determine suffering.
Somdet Phra Buddhaghosacariya has looked at suffering through the problems of human lifeand he defines it in two contexts: suffering in the bodily level such as life-related suffering, illness, sadness and agitation, etc.; suffering in the social context level through the problem which affects humans both directly and indirectly.
The suffering explained by Somdet Phra Buddhaghosacariya has a systematic connection between humans and society. This includes ecology and environment in which the factor that can be controlled by human. This is an important factor that Buddhism focuses on the development of the individual rather than a convenient object, and the healing of suffering can be made learning the Four Noble Truths with the wisdom of the Right View (Sammādiṭṭhi).