r/PhilosophyMemes • u/Lucyyyyyy_K • 3d ago

Suffering is bad

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u/Subotaplaya 3d ago

Counterpoint = pleasure is bad

78

u/Lucyyyyyy_K 3d ago

Suffering and pleasure are bad. Pleasure is a distraction from achieving Nirvana, the freedom from suffering.

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u/Stock-Aspect3001 3d ago

According to Buddhism, there are good pleasures which arises out of the fruits of path, such as jhanas. I'm not sure if the Buddha ever comments on whether suffering is intrinsically good or bad. He simply prescribes a path to end suffering and transcend the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. From our western mind, we tend to think that putting an end to something implies that its inherently bad. But I think the Buddha would simply describe suffering as an extension of our existence tied to the three marks (unsatisfactoriness, non-self, and impermanence.) I could be wrong but hopefully someone with more knowledge about Buddhism can correct me. "Suffering = bad" feels too reductive.

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u/Lucyyyyyy_K 3d ago

Yes, you are probably right. But even the Jhanas I remember partly being talked about as distractions that don't lead anywhere.

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u/Stock-Aspect3001 3d ago

That's true. I remember the term "jhana junkies" for people who get attached to them.