Suffering is the status of the mind when it feels uncomfortable, unwanted, and unfavorable. Lord Buddha commenced his teaching with the teaching and realization of suffering. Why Buddha took suffering as his core concern and why not happiness? The two extremes are to be avoided according to the Buddha are self-mortification and self-enjoyment. In Buddhism, following must be preceded by understanding and not faith. Buddha ordered his monks that not two of them should go in same direction. Buddha was not talking about the benefit of his Dhamma that it will give you a better life after death, rather it will start giving you its fruit now and here and thereafter.

Professor Vijay Jumar Singh is the Professor of Tibetan and Buddhist Studies as well as the Head and Chairperson of Chinese and Tibetan Languages in Panjab University. He also serves as In-charge of Arts Block-5 in Panjab University and Academic in charge of the Department of Russian in Panjab University. He is now performing as ICCR Professor of India Studies, for the Department of Cultural and Religious Studies in The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He received his doctoral degree in Languages from Panjab University and his master’s degree in Tibetan from University of Delhi. His specialization is in the area of Buddhist Studies, Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan and Religious Studies