Dukkhavedanā (Painful Feeling) in Buddhist Principles

Abstract

This academic paper investigates to analyze the concept of Dukkhavedanā in Buddhism which truly refers to unbearable state of body. Dukkhavedanā appears in different senses, in generally speaking, it refers to physical pains. This is included in Dukkha or suffering found in Tilakkhaṇa teaching, i.e., Dukkhatā or unbearable state of mind which is narrowest meaning because it happens to all, ordinary and Noble One, while Dukkhavedanā in Paṭiccasamuppāda and Ariyasacca, even though the Buddha himself bears Dukkhavedanā with efforts. Dukkha-ariyasacca is Pariññākicca or knowable work in Noble Truth of both common and Noble One before Arahanta attaining. It is true that Dukkhavedanā found in five aggregate attachment signifies to Dukkha-ariyasacca, so Dukkhavedanā is not Dukkha-ariyasacca since it is an object of insight observing, whereas Dukkhavedanā in Paṭiccasamuppāda is included as feeling, sorrows, lamentation, pains, despairs. Dukkhavedanā appeared in various places, contains diverse senses, but the Buddha had used it as an observed object for realizing Noble Truth leading to abandon from painful feeling through insight meditation based on Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna, that is, observing painful feeling without attachment, which leads to Four Noble Truth realization. By this reason, Dukkha-ariyasacca observing includes Dukkhavedanā observing, it also is the knowable work, the first Ariyasacca. Having observed Dukkhavedanā, the mind will accept Dukkhavedanā as rise and falls, ever-changing according to its conditions or contact as found in Samudayavāra line of Paṭiccasamuppāda, which later leads to Four Noble Truth realization. Having the right view, insight meditator finally abandons ignorance, which is the end of suffering called Nibbana.