So a week or so ago, one of my classmates asked me, "How do you end all the suffering in the world?" My response was something like, "Well that's the $64,000 question, isn't it? I would say the answer is to have everyone in the world practice buddhism. But of course, you can't force people to practice buddhism. So I guess there isn't really a way." They looked at me for a second in confusion, then were like, "No, man! Kill everyone! That's what everyone else has been saying." Apparently this question had been asked of a few people that day, and the common response was to kill everyone. He asked a classmate the same question right after, and that's the response he got then, too. (Granted, that classmate in particular had just overheard our conversation and was giving that answer as a joke. Also, I found out later this question was inspired by the end of the video game Final Fantasy 9 in which an evil robot or something comes to end the world's suffering by killing everyone and you must defeat it.) I really liked this exchange. Folks unfamiliar with buddhism would likely not know that that question is central to Shakyamuni's story of awakening and the inspiration for seeking the way in countless devotees that followed. So I got really happy when he asked me this. I was excited to talk about something that I have considered for a while.
But in a way, the answer he got from everyone else is more accurate. After all, I have seen first-hand how difficult it is to end one's own individual suffering, even with continual practice and reflection. The answer of killing everyone reminded me of a Norm Fischer talk in which he submits that really the only way a person can end their suffering is suicide (if I remember correctly). It reminded me of a Linda Galijan talk in which a story of buddha is recounted where someone asks him about troubles with his wife, his business, etc. and buddha says, "There are eighty kinds of suffering. I can only help with one of them." To which the person asks, "What's that one?" and buddha responds, "Dealing with the other 79." [paraphrase]. Numerous times at Tassajara, I was reminded that buddhism is called a practice for good reason; no one picks up a guitar and can instantly play like Eric Clapton. Similarly, simply practicing buddhism is not a way to end one's suffering -- at least, not instantly.
So, I still like my answer better. I do believe that the more I practice, the more adept I will be at not suffering. The more I examine the small self that suffers, the less energy this small self will have to keep suffering going. When I am clear-headed, it becomes very apparent that each instance of suffering is an opportunity to practice non-clinging, non-aversion, and to awaken to dharma. So each opportunity I actually seize to practice really does represent a moment in which practice ends suffering. And because of this, I find it very important to continue, and (when I am able) to show others how to do so as well. It's a marathon, though, not a sprint. If I don't remember that, well... I suffer.
