Methods of Relative Truth

世俗谛的方法

When we come upon suffering — for instance, when we have committed wrongdoing or have lost an object we are attached to — we should consider it from two aspects: first, through practice, we can relieve suffering; second, more importantly, we can transform suffering into the path.

First: Eradicate or Moderate Aversion to Accepting Suffering

第一、 制止、消除或减轻不愿意接受痛苦的心态。

We should contemplate: this suffering does not help my situation; it also brings harm to my body and mind.

In samsara, a lot of suffering awaits us. As ordinary people, our lives are not all that different — we all experience birth, aging, illness, and death; we all die in the end. No one can tell us exactly how we are going to die. Our parents may leave us; there will also be problems in our marriage, family, relationships, financial status, and work. If we always reject, resist, ignore, or dare not confront and accept suffering, our ability to withstand pressure is evidently very poor. If due to our weakness, we cannot face and accept suffering, and instinctively make it a habit of running away from it, in time we become even weaker mentally. We dispute and fuss over everything. However perfect the environment is, everything is less than satisfactory.