dúkkha

Dukkha is a central concept in Buddhism, often translated as "suffering," "dissatisfaction," or "stress." It is not merely physical pain, but a pervasive sense of unease and imperfection that characterizes the human experience. The First Noble Truth states that life is inherently dukkha, implying that all existence, due to its impermanent and conditioned nature, is subject to this dissatisfaction.

There are generally considered to be three types of dukkha. The first is the suffering associated with physical and emotional pain, illness, old age, and death. The second is the suffering that arises from change, as pleasant experiences are impermanent and their passing leads to disappointment. The third, and most subtle, is the suffering inherent in all conditioned existence, a fundamental unsatisfactoriness stemming from the impermanence and lack of inherent self in all phenomena.

Understanding dukkha is the starting point for the Buddhist path. It is not meant to be a pessimistic outlook, but a realistic assessment of the nature of reality. By recognizing the presence and causes of dukkha, one can begin to seek its cessation. The subsequent Noble Truths outline the origin of dukkha, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation, which is the Noble Eightfold Path. The ultimate goal is liberation from dukkha, a state known as Nirvana.