2. Contemplating feelings (vedan罠) as painful{2} : There are three kinds of feelings, which describe the Three Kinds of Suffering:

Inherent suffering (duhkha-vedan罠){3} is suffering caused by sorrow, vexation, grief, anxiety, and so forth. In nature, these are all suffering; therefore, they are called inherent suffering.

Latent suffering (sukha-vedan罠){4} is the suffering caused by health, fame, wealth and so on. Although these do make one feel happy at first, however, the body will become ill, one can fall from fame and gain, and wealth can be lost. Thus, feelings of pleasure will eventually cause suffering due to loss or deterioration.

Active suffering{5} is suffering caused by feelings of neither suffering nor pleasure (aduhkh罠 sukha-vedan罠){6}. Although we may have spiritual cultivations, and live simple and peaceful lives, human life in this world is transitory and transient; as long as we are not liberated from rebirth and death, there is the suffering caused just by being alive.


【Key Words】

{2} Contemplating the feelings (vedan罠) as painful：觀受是苦

{3} Inherent Suffering (duhkha-vedan罠)：苦苦

{4} Latent Suffering (sukha-vedan罠)：壞苦

{5} Active Suffering：行苦

{6} Feeling of neither suffering nor pleasure

　　　　 (aduhkh罠 sukha-vedan罠)：不苦不樂受