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**Jwskwhdo** · 06-22-2012, 01:18 PM

I'm late on this thread and I have not yet read all the replies, so this might be a repeat.

I liked Deshy's reply and agree with it. I'm often impressed by the clarity and simplicity of Deshy's comments.

There are many ways to answer your question. At the moment I'll take this approach:

Much of your question depends on how you translate "dukkha".

As you probably know, dukkha, in its literal sense refers to a broken cart wheel. ...

Dukkha is often translated as "All living things suffer." I think that's misleading.

By the way, do any of you scholars know who first translated "dukkha" as "All living things suffer"?

Obviously, people are often happy, and other animals are also often happy, or at least comfortable. Personally, I feel pretty good today. It seems silly to say that my happiness, today, at this moment is "illusory."

If you return to the idea of a "rough ride," even rocky roads have smooth stretches, deserts have oases, and so on.

Sometimes I think of "unsettled weather" instead of a "rough ride" or "broken wheel." (cut for space)

Thanks for your input, Bopshi

You are right, Dukkha is hard to grasp, especially when life seems to have many pleasures. Even a child's laugh or a smile from a stranger makes one question if Dukkha is really so common. Yes, I also like Deshy's clarity.

I haven't heard the expression of a broken wheel before. I like the analogy of "unsettled weather", it is perceived but not necessarily a major obstruction to our routine, so it has that similarity to how dukkha may dissatisfy us.

Thanks!

06-22-2012, 01:18 PM	#30
Jwskwhdo Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 487 Senior Member	I'm late on this thread and I have not yet read all the replies, so this might be a repeat. I liked Deshy's reply and agree with it. I'm often impressed by the clarity and simplicity of Deshy's comments. There are many ways to answer your question. At the moment I'll take this approach: Much of your question depends on how you translate "dukkha". As you probably know, dukkha, in its literal sense refers to a broken cart wheel. ... Dukkha is often translated as "All living things suffer." I think that's misleading. By the way, do any of you scholars know who first translated "dukkha" as "All living things suffer"? Obviously, people are often happy, and other animals are also often happy, or at least comfortable. Personally, I feel pretty good today. It seems silly to say that my happiness, today, at this moment is "illusory." If you return to the idea of a "rough ride," even rocky roads have smooth stretches, deserts have oases, and so on. Sometimes I think of "unsettled weather" instead of a "rough ride" or "broken wheel." (cut for space) Thanks for your input, Bopshi You are right, Dukkha is hard to grasp, especially when life seems to have many pleasures. Even a child's laugh or a smile from a stranger makes one question if Dukkha is really so common. Yes, I also like Deshy's clarity. I haven't heard the expression of a broken wheel before. I like the analogy of "unsettled weather", it is perceived but not necessarily a major obstruction to our routine, so it has that similarity to how dukkha may dissatisfy us. Thanks!
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