Happiness and Suffering

I had seen people entertaining the idea of legitimate emotional concerns with regards to fear, and when reading this, I found it most relevant to share. Fear and bravery, happiness and suffering, there are times for each. One knows what is correct in the experience, but must ensure that their suffering is not of delusion or karmic cause. Form brings with it suffering, we are all condemned at birth to die and to suffer, and there are legitimate times to express these experiences to others, or to sit with them in ourselves.

The following is from Chan Heart, Chan Art by Xingyun, Hsing Yun:

Chan Master Tanzhao gave instruction to his disciples and devotees every day. He could not leave without saying, "Happy! Happy! Life is full of happiness!"

However, one time he fell ill. During his illness, he was constantly yelling, "Suffering! Suffering! So much suffering!"

The abbot heard this and came to reproach him, "Hey! For a monastic who is ill to always be complaining of 'suffering, suffering' does not look good."

Tanzhao said, "Health is happiness, sickness is suffering. This is natural. Why can't we cry, 'suffering'?"

The abbot said, "Remember the time you fell into the water and nearly drowned. Your face didn't even change color. That kind of fearless manner--regarding death as returning--where is that heroic spirit now? You normally say, 'happiness, happiness.' Why is it when you get sick you say 'suffering, suffering'?"

Chan Master Tanzhao said to the abbot, "Come, come. Come to the foot of my bed!"

The abbot went to the side of the bed. Chan Master Tanzhao asked him softly, "Abbot, you just said that I used to say 'happiness, happiness!' Now all I say is 'suffering, suffering!' Please tell me, is saying 'happiness' correct? Or, is saying 'suffering' correct?"

*Life has the two faces of suffering and happiness. When there is too much suffering, we should, of course, give rise to an inner happiness. When there is too much happiness, we should also understand the truth of suffering in life. Intense happiness will give rise to sorrow. Deep suffering causes life to lose its flavor. It is best to live a life of the Middle Way, not attached to suffering and not attached to happiness.

Submitted December 28, 2017 at 06:45AM by Dillon123 http://ift.tt/2Dpc8D0