“Vedanā Is Something Important In Buddhism

Even when ‘vedanā’ is not being spoken of in the context of ‘satipatthāna’ or foundation of mindfulness, generally speaking it is nevertheless an important matter in the Buddhist religion, for, actually it is one of the various matters that form the heart of the religion, because all the mental defilements, cravings, attachment (upādāna) and suffering all come from ‘vedanā’ or feelings. Happy feeling or ‘sukha-vedanā’ leads to one kind of defilement (kilesa) while unhappy feeling (dukkha-vedanā) leads to another kind of mental defilement. Mental defilement is a kind of craving and craving leads to the rise of the tendency to feel or to get attached to things and phenomena, and that in turn leads to suffering. Thus, ‘vedanā’ is a big issue and it is initially the igniting point of craving. It is the second of the Four Noble Truths—the ‘Samudaya’ or the origin of suffering. If you wish to know how craving arises, learn about ‘vedanā’ and you will come to know it well that ‘sukha-vedanā’ brings about one kind of mental defilement (kilesa or craving) while ‘dukha-vedanā’ causes another kind of craving. Do take some interest in this matter.” —Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikku

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