Why Are All Sensations Suffering?

Suffering is of three types: the suffering of suffering, the suffering of conditioned existence, and the suffering of decay; or it can be divided into eight kinds: the suffering of birth, aging, sickness, and death; the suffering of not obtaining what one desires; the suffering of encountering those one dislikes; the suffering of separation from loved ones; and the suffering arising from the intense activity of the five aggregates. The "conditioned existence" in the suffering of conditioned existence refers to the meaning of operation and change. The five aggregates of body and mind continuously undergo subtle changes and decay; fundamentally, they cannot be held still or grasped. Therefore, the five aggregates possess the suffering of conditioned existence. The "decay" in the suffering of decay refers to destruction, dissolution, and alteration. The five aggregates are also ungraspable; hence, the five aggregates possess the suffering of decay. The very essence of all suffering is itself a form of suffering, which is the meaning of the suffering of suffering. Sentient beings do not only have the three sufferings or eight sufferings; if expanded and subdivided, there are immeasurably many sufferings. Yet, ignorant beings are immersed in suffering yet unaware of it, necessitating the Buddha's journey to the Saha world to expound the Noble Truth of Suffering. Even after this exposition, sentient beings still fail to recognize suffering and cannot end it.

Feelings are divided into painful feelings, pleasant feelings, and neutral feelings; regardless of the type, all are suffering. Even within pleasant feelings, there exists the suffering of conditioned existence, and after pleasant feelings comes the suffering of decay. Simultaneously with pleasant feelings, the mind still harbors suffering; pleasure is never pure. Moreover, sentient beings must pay a certain price for various pleasant feelings. Therefore, within the realm of the five aggregates, there are no truly painless pleasant feelings.

In the formless realm, the meditative state of the Heaven of Neither Perception Nor Non-Perception is extremely blissful. However, even there, the suffering of conditioned existence exists; time passes extremely rapidly. Within the meditative state, eighty thousand great kalpas pass by swiftly, and after they pass, all distress manifests. When sentient beings experience happiness, they do not wish for it to disappear; this very wish is itself suffering, belonging to the suffering of having desires. When sentient beings pursue the Dharma, they must endure hardship and pay a price; this itself is also suffering. However, within this suffering, there are pleasant feelings, and afterward, all suffering gradually transforms into pleasant feelings. Therefore, we must diligently cultivate and study the Dharma, undaunted by hardship and difficulty. Cultivated to the end, it will all transform into pleasant feelings and equanimous feelings. Regardless of the type, all feelings are impermanent. What is impermanent is suffering; thus, it is said that all feelings are suffering.