“Why is Life So Hard? The Buddha’s Guide to Letting Go of Suffering”
Introduction: The Weight of Life’s Struggles
Have you ever felt like the weight of life is too much to bear? The constant worries of everyday life, uncertainty about the future, and the struggles in our relationships can often feel overwhelming. There are times when it seems like no matter what we do, the burden keeps growing heavier. We may even question, “Why do I have to suffer like this?” and wonder if there’s a way to escape the endless cycle of pain.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life’s struggles and wondering how to find relief, this video is for you. The following story, based on the ancient wisdom of Buddha, will help you understand why life feels so hard and how we can overcome suffering by learning to let go of it. Buddha’s teachings, passed down for over 2,600 years, offer a path to peace and clarity. Through the story of Karna, a young man from ancient India, we will learn how to confront suffering, understand it, and ultimately let go of it to find inner peace.
Karna’s Story: Struggles and Liberation
Karna lived in a small village on the banks of the Ganges River in ancient India. At only 25 years old, he was already burdened with the weight of many struggles. His father had passed away suddenly, leaving him to manage the family business—a weaving shop that had once been the pride of the village but was now in decline due to debt and poor quality. Along with this, Karna was also taking care of his sick mother, a responsibility that weighed heavily on his heart.
Every day, Karna struggled with feelings of powerlessness and anxiety. As he lay in his small room at night, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts spiraled out of control. “Why did my father leave so early?” “Will my mother ever get better?” “How will I ever repay these debts?” These thoughts haunted him, and the weight of his worries became unbearable.
But Karna wasn’t alone in his struggles. In his village, others carried their burdens as well. Rame, the fishmonger, struggled with his rebellious son, while Priya, the wife of an abusive husband, endured daily suffering. Yet, despite their challenges, they seemed to carry on with an inner calm that Karna couldn’t understand. How could they remain so peaceful in the face of such hardship?
Meeting the Buddha: The Path to Freedom from Suffering
One evening, after another particularly difficult day, Karna found himself sitting under an ancient banyan tree at the edge of the village. The sunset painted the sky in deep red, and the only sound was the gentle rustling of the leaves in the wind. In this moment of solitude, a traveler approached him. The man was elderly, yet there was a dignified presence about him, and his eyes carried a deep, calm wisdom.
With a kind smile, the man sat down beside Karna and gently asked, “Young man, what weighs so heavily on your heart?” His voice carried a warmth that immediately put Karna at ease. Without hesitation, Karna began to speak of his worries—the illness of his mother, the mounting debt, and the overwhelming uncertainty about the future. For the first time in a long while, Karna allowed himself to share the weight he had been carrying.
The traveler listened quietly and then replied, “There is someone who can help you find peace. In the mountains not far from here, there lives a sage known as Buddha. Many people go to him to find relief from their suffering. Perhaps he can help you too.”
At the mention of Buddha, Karna felt a small flicker of hope in his heart, but doubt soon crept in. “But what about my mother’s illness? I cannot leave her, even for a short while.” The traveler smiled and said, “Sometimes, it is necessary to step away, even if only for a short while. A brief separation may bring you closer to your true self, and in turn, it will bring peace to your mother.”
That evening, Karna spoke with his mother, who, though frail, grasped his hand and said in a weak voice, “Go, my son. The villagers will take care of me. Your peace of mind is the greatest gift you can give me.” Tears filled Karna’s eyes as he realized the depth of his mother’s love and sacrifice. The next morning, Karna set off on his journey with only a small bag and a heart full of uncertainty, but also with a glimmer of hope.
The Journey to Buddha: A Lesson in Letting Go
Karna traveled for several days, unsure of what to expect, but trusting that this journey might bring him the answers he was desperately seeking. The path was at times steep and difficult, and he occasionally lost his way. Yet with each step, he felt his heart lighten just a little. By the third day, Karna arrived at the foot of a small mountain where Buddha’s humble abode awaited.
Inside the simple dwelling, Karna was greeted by an elderly man sitting serenely, his presence radiating peace. This man was Buddha. Karna, though overwhelmed, was immediately struck by the profound calm that surrounded him. Without even knowing Karna’s name, Buddha welcomed him with a warm smile and said, “I know you, Karna. I know your suffering. Your heart speaks the truth of your journey.”
Karna, astonished, knelt before Buddha and poured out his heart once more, sharing his worries—the debts, his mother’s illness, and his fear of the future. Buddha listened with patience and compassion, not interrupting, but allowing Karna to speak freely.
After Karna finished, Buddha gently said, “Come with me.” He led Karna behind his humble hut to a large rock sitting in the center of a peaceful garden. “Pick up this rock,” Buddha instructed.
Karna, though confused, obeyed, using all his strength to lift the heavy stone. The weight was unbearable, and within minutes, Karna felt his arms tremble and his body grow weak. “Hold it for one hour,” Buddha calmly instructed.
Karna, struggling with the weight, continued to hold the rock, feeling as though his body would collapse under the strain. Ten minutes passed. Then twenty. After thirty minutes, Karna’s arms were shaking uncontrollably. At the forty-five-minute mark, his vision blurred, and he could barely keep his balance. “I can’t do this anymore,” Karna whispered, his body giving way. But Buddha’s calm voice replied, “Just a little longer.”
After what felt like an eternity, Karna was finally allowed to set the rock down. He collapsed to his knees, drenched in sweat, his body aching. Buddha, looking at him with serene understanding, asked, “What do you feel now, Karna?”
Karna could barely respond, his mind reeling from the experience. “I feel… free. But also weak. It was too much to bear.”
Buddha nodded and said, “This is how life’s burdens work. The longer you carry them, the heavier they become. But the important thing to realize is that you can always choose to let go of them. And once you do, you’ll find that you can pick up new burdens with renewed strength.”
The True Source of Suffering: Letting Go of Attachments
Buddha continued, “Much of our suffering is created by our minds. Attachments, desires, and fears—they bind us, causing us to feel overwhelmed. You suffer from debt, yes, but is it truly the debt itself that causes you pain? Or is it the thoughts of never being able to pay it back, the fear of being stuck in this situation forever?”
Karna’s eyes widened. It was true. The debt was real, but it was his attachment to the fear of the debt that caused him the most suffering. “So, what should I do?” Karna asked, eager for guidance.
Buddha smiled gently and replied, “Start by observing your mind. Every morning, when the sun rises, sit quietly and focus on your breath. Thoughts will come, but don’t chase them. Let them pass, like shadows on the water. Just observe them without attachment.”
Buddha also spoke of Karna’s mother’s illness. “Yes, your mother’s suffering is real. But what you can do is be there for her. Your presence, your love—that is the greatest gift you can give her. Do not blame yourself for not being able to cure her. Instead, focus on what you can do in this moment.”
Karna’s heart softened. For so long, he had felt guilty and powerless, but now he understood. His love and presence were the most valuable things he could offer his mother.
A Journey of Healing and Transformation
Karna spent seven days with Buddha, learning to meditate each morning. At first, his mind was restless, but with time, he began to notice that his thoughts became quieter. By the end of the week, Karna had not only let go of his attachments but had also embraced the present moment with gratitude.
When Karna returned to the village, he approached his mother’s care with renewed meaning. Gone was the heavy burden of guilt and fear. Instead, he lived each day with gratitude, cherishing the time he spent with her. Slowly, his debts began to decrease, as he took things one step at a time. His business, too, began to recover, not because he sought perfection but because he focused on doing his best every day.
Karna’s transformation had a ripple effect. As his heart lightened, so did the hearts of those around him. He shared Buddha’s teachings with others, helping them let go of their attachments and find peace in the present moment.
Conclusion: The Power of Letting Go
Karna’s story teaches us that life’s suffering is often a result of our attachments—our fears, our desires, our anxieties. But, as Karna learned, we have the power to release these burdens. By focusing on the present moment, observing our thoughts without attachment, and embracing the love we can give to others, we can find freedom and peace.
If you are carrying a heavy burden right now, remember that you have the strength to let it go. With each step, with each breath, you can release the weight you’ve been carrying and move forward. The key is in letting go—in accepting that suffering is a part of life, but it does not have to define us.
Thank you for watching. May you find peace on your journey. Don’t forget to subscribe and share your thoughts with us in the comments. Until next time, take care.