Well being and overcoming mundane existential suffering

This paper focuses on the Buddhist perspective of understanding self. The questions regarding the nature of self, have always taken the central position in almost all schools of Indian Philosophy. Liberation (the summum bonum of life) is impossible without knowing the self. Even the mundane existence falls prey to the query of life, self and its purpose etc. So the need of the hour is to dig into the idea so as to emerge out of it (which eventually leads to the cessation of suffering). The four noble truths, the five constituents of human personality, and the eightfold path of Buddhism are discussed to shed light on the meaningful existence of human beings. In this paper, I have tried to figure out (although briefly) the points of similarities between Wittgenstein and Buddha on the question of death. This holds importance because the dreadful fear of losing life haunts every individual leading one to anxiety and depression. So the only way to come out of the suffering caused by existential bounds is an understanding or realisation of the nature of reality. When the true nature of self is realised then one can break not only the cycle of life and death but also deal with the superficial nature of mundane suffering. This Paper is based on a qualitative theoretical research methodology.

One of the most mind boggling observations of human eternity has been the realisation of one's conscious tendencies, which lead to an awareness of one's internal as well as external surroundings. One may call it, inner world and outer world respectively. Though, many philosophers have tried to abridge the gap between the two and come out with a single unified theory of Absolute consciousness which is often called as Brahman in Indian Philosophy. The theory leading to the enquiry of an inner self was never dogmatic as materialist philosophers like Charvakas intrigued the minds of believers like Vedantins, which ultimately refined their philosophies of Brahman. Thus, the Indian philosophy became richer through the diverse inputs of both the believers and nonbelievers of an eternal soul. But, an interesting case happened during the 6th century BC with the emergence of Buddhism as a different interpreter of the question of “who am I? ”as they accepted a middle way to find an answer to the very question. Buddha, a prince from Shakya kingdom of Indian subcontinent, analysed this problem from a different point of view. He was basically interested in knowing the cause and end of suffering. However, in the process, he realised that the answer lied in knowing the nature of self as it is the so called self which is experiencing the pains and pleasures of life. So, Buddha practiced different meditative techniques to see and control the urges and desires of self. Such practices included harsh penance techniques including starving oneself to the point that one becomes unaware of the body itself. But, all went in vain when Buddha realised a middle path to the luxurious and penurious life. Subsequently, he proposed the doctrine of dependent-origination (pratitya-samutpada) and formulated four noble truths (arya satya)