Date: 10/18/2025 10/19/2025
Location: Star Ocean Meditation Center
Teacher: Otto Huang
Dharma Talk
What Is the Greatest Suffering in the World
Thus have I heard:
At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in Śrāvastī, expounding the Dharma to the assembly.
On that day, four disciples, having heard the teaching, withdrew together to a secluded place. It was the height of summer, the heat oppressive. They sat beneath a great pomegranate tree, seeking coolness, and exchanged thoughts on their practice of the Dharma.
As they spoke, one of them asked:
“In this world, what is the greatest suffering?”
One disciple answered:
“Surely, lustful desire is the greatest suffering. When desire arises, it brings pain and often leads even to the calamity of death.”
Another said:
“You are mistaken. Hunger and thirst are the greatest suffering. Think of a man who has no food or water—what suffering could be greater than that?”
A third disciple said:
“No, the greatest suffering is sudden fear and terror, when one is overwhelmed by danger.”
The first disciple then spoke again:
“You are all wrong. Anger is the greatest suffering. It afflicts the one who harbors it, and also harms those upon whom it falls. Truly, it brings endless pain.”
Thus the four disciples argued on and on, until the sun was about to set, yet they found no resolution.
That evening the Blessed One, knowing their dispute, went to their dwelling. He inquired about their debate and listened to each of their views. After a pause, the Blessed One said:
“What you have spoken touches only the surface. You have not grasped the root of suffering. Truly, the greatest suffering in this world is the very existence of the body. From the body arise lust, hunger, anger, and fear. The body is the source of all suffering.”
The four disciples, hearing this, were awakened, and bowed their heads in assent. Then the Blessed One told them a story:
“In ages long past, there was a bhikkhu named Diligent Power, who possessed the five supernormal abilities: the power of spiritual travel, the divine eye, the divine ear, knowledge of the thoughts of others, and knowledge of past lives. He often practiced alone in stillness beneath a great tree.
Near that place lived four creatures: a dove, a small bird, a venomous serpent, and a spotted deer. They dwelt together in harmony.
One night, as they conversed among themselves, the bhikkhu finished his meditation and overheard their talk. He sat quietly, listening.
The creatures turned to this question:
‘What is the greatest suffering in the world?’
The small bird said:
‘Hunger and thirst are the greatest suffering. They weaken the body, dim the eyes, cloud the mind. Nothing is more painful than this.’
The dove said:
‘No, lust is the greatest suffering. When desire arises, it drives one without rest, and until it is satisfied, there is no peace. This is true suffering.’
The serpent hissed and said:
‘You are both wrong. Anger is the greatest suffering. When it arises, even friends are seen as enemies. The innocent are harmed, and often one brings ruin upon oneself. This is true suffering.’
The spotted deer then spoke:
‘Not so. Fear is the greatest suffering. Each day I wander in the forest seeking food. Ever I must guard against hidden hunters and ferocious beasts. At the slightest sound, I must flee. To live in such constant dread—this is true suffering.’
So they disputed, each clinging to his own view.
At last, the bhikkhu Diligent Power could not remain silent. He coughed, and the four creatures turned to him.
He said:
‘I have heard your debate. In truth, you are all mistaken. The greatest suffering in the world is “to have being.” From action and striving arise all forms of pain. For this reason I have abandoned worldly life and entered the Path. I cut off vain thoughts, renounce the pleasures of the body, and seek the extinction of suffering. Only in Nirvāṇa, when the body itself is ended, is there true peace and the highest bliss.’
Having spoken thus, he fell silent again and returned to meditation.
The four creatures were struck with wonder. They reflected upon his words, and each awakened to some portion of the Dharma.
The Blessed One looked kindly upon the four disciples before him and said:
“Those four creatures were your former lives. Then you understood the root of suffering. Why do you dispute again now?”
The four disciples, hearing this, were filled with shame. From that time they practiced with diligence. In the end, each attained the fruit of Arahantship.”
