ARE YOU AFRAID OF PAIN? - A Carnival of Fear (Youth Dhamma Session)

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast.

In this session we look into the Buddha's question to some young boys when he encounters them doing unskilful things: "ARE YOU AFRAID OF PAIN?" from the Kumāraka Sutta (Ud 5.4).

What's interesting about this story and similar ones is the link between inflicting pain and being fearful or afraid of experiencing pain.

We also look at the result of inflicting pain or harm on others and what the Buddha recommends as the means to eliminate fear and enmity, as well as mental pain and sadness.

The questions we must ask ourselves after listening to the Buddha's words are the same one as Buddha asked the young boys: "Are we afraid of pain? Do we find it disagreeable to experience pain? Do we get uncomfortable or upset at even the idea of feeling any kind of pain or suffering?" If the answer is yes, then we must heed the Buddha's teaching and train ourselves in good conduct.

Suttas mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk include:

• – Sambahulakumāraka Vatthu (Dhp 131-2)
• – Attadaṇḍa Sutta (Snp 4.15)
• – Cūḷakammavibhaṅga Sutta (MN 135)
• – Bhaya Sutta (AN 10.92)

To read the Kumāraka Sutta (Ud 5.4) - https://suttacentral.net/ud5.4/en/sujato

Bohoma pin to the people who have been fearless in acknowledging fear and asking questions on how to deal with and overcome fear.

The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRrxQCjROpw AND on Spotify as a video podcast

Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai