Learn Buddhism with Alan Peto

95 - What is Suffering (Dukkha) in Buddhism

September 21, 2026·42 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Why do we suffer? Why does life feel painful, stressful, or disappointing even when things seem to be going well? In this episode, we explore suffering from a practical Buddhist perspective not as a concept, but as a lived human experience. Sometimes referred to as 'suffering' in the West, 'Dukkha' has a much deeper range and significance. Drawing from the Buddha’s core insights into impermanence, dependent origination, the Three Poisons/Fires, karma, and rebirth, we look at how suffering arises, why we add extra layers of pain through craving and clinging, and what the Buddhist path offers as a way to understand and transform it.This episode is not a repeat of our discussion on dukkha. Instead, it’s a grounded, compassionate look at the reality of suffering and the hope the Buddha offered: suffering has causes, and those causes can be understood and released.Read the Article: https://alanpeto.com/buddhism/understanding-dukkha/Contact Alan: alanpeto.com/contactPodcast Homepage: alanpeto.com/podcastPodcast Disclaimer: alanpeto.com/legal/podcast-disclaimer

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