What do you want to ask a Buddhist? Fill out the form below or submit your question online.
I want to die. The suffering I cannot take. Will the Buddha nature protect my three small children from harm?
There are situations in life when we experience the most painful mental suffering. One may doubt that one has the capacity to bear the suffering; history has demonstrated repeatedly that we have and can call forth great resiliency in the face of tremendous obstacles. We all have this kind of inner strength.
We are all deeply connected to all living beings and each individual’s actions of body, speech and mind have tremendous impact on others, often in ways we are unaware of.
The greatest gift you can give to your children is to model how to move through the pain and difficulties that come with living. It is our responsibility to care for ourselves and learn to grow self-compassion so that we can then reach out to all others and be of comfort to them.
Please act immediately and call the Suicide Prevention Line;
1-800-273-8255. There are skilled, compassionate people waiting for your call who are able to listen deeply to what you are currently experiencing. With their extensive experience, they can offer and direct you to the support that you are in great need of right now.
From the Buddhist point of view, when we make the determination take refuge for the rest of our lives in the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha, our understanding of what it means to have a precious human life grows and deepens over time. We come to embrace the challenges of cultivating our compassion and wisdom so that we can be of greater and greater benefit to all other living beings. This brings a natural joy and fortitude to the mind that can bear the difficulties that are part of living.
May you reach out today to the support line and to a supportive group of friends who all care deeply about you and are wanting to support you in any way possible.
