The Buddha taught that the deeper the suffering one experiences, the greater the potential for awakening. When a person reaches the limit of their suffering, they often come to a profound realization about life. They see that life is a cycle of ups and downs—pleasure followed by pain, happiness followed by sorrow. They realize that things are fleeting: what is gained will eventually be lost, and what is built may collapse in an instant.
The Impermanence of Life
In life, we often experience the rise and fall of things. Fame, wealth, and power can come quickly, but they can also vanish just as fast. Many people rise to high positions, only to lose everything after a single event, like an election or a change in circumstances. Some may hold power for only a short time, such as a single term in office, and never return to that position again. Others may enjoy only a few days of prominence before falling from grace.
These experiences highlight the impermanence of life—no matter how much we may achieve, nothing lasts forever. The same applies to any position of power or wealth we attain. We may experience a brief moment of success, but we must also understand that it can be fleeting.
The Reality of Suffering and the Path to Awakening
When we witness such events—the rise and fall of power or fortune—it is a reminder of the inherent instability of the world. The more we experience such fluctuations, the more we realize the truth of impermanence. The more we witness, the more we come to understand the reality of suffering, and this understanding can lead to awakening.
The realization that nothing in life is permanent can be both liberating and painful. It’s painful because we are attached to things and people we love, and we don’t want to let go. But it is liberating because it frees us from the illusion that we can control everything. Once we see the impermanence of life clearly, we begin to detach from the false hopes of permanent happiness or success.
The path to awakening is about embracing the constant changes in life with equanimity. We must learn to accept that things will come and go, people will rise and fall, and nothing is forever. This acceptance doesn’t mean resignation or indifference, but rather an understanding of the true nature of existence. When we truly accept impermanence, we can live with greater peace, knowing that both our joys and sorrows are temporary.
In the end, suffering is not something to fear, but a teacher that can guide us toward deeper wisdom. The more we experience suffering, the more we can understand the nature of life and the truth of impermanence. When we accept this truth, we open ourselves to awakening, where we are no longer bound by attachments, expectations, or the fear of loss. We can live with freedom, embracing each moment fully, without clinging to what is temporary, knowing that the true path lies in understanding the impermanence of all things.
Lesson by Venerable Thích Pháp Hoà