Page:Henry Mulford Tichenor - The Buddhist Philosophy of Life.djvu/43

 Rh "Freedom from lust is the root of good; freedom from hatred and illusion is the root of good.

"What is suffering? What is the origin of suffering? What is the annihilation of suffering?

"Birth is suffering; old age is suffering; death is suffering; sorrow and pain are suffering; affliction and despair are suffering; to associate with loathsome things is suffering; the loss of that we love, and the failure to attain that which we long for are suffering.

"And what is the origin of suffering?

"It is lust, passion, and the thirst for existence that yearns for pleasure, that leads to continual rebirths. It is sensuality, desire, selfishness.

"And what is the annihilation of suffering?

"The liberation from desire, the deliverance from passion, is the annihilation of suffering.

"And what is the path that leads to the annihilation of suffering?

"It is the righteous eightfold path that leads to the annihilation of suffering—Right Views, Right Decision, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Living, Right Struggling, Right Thoughts, and Right Meditation.

The Buddha said: I have taught the truth. But, simple as it is, the people cannot understand it. I will speak to them in their own language. I will adapt my thoughts to their