“Is it correct that one writes duk(k)ha vedanā with two k when it relates to physical pain? My understanding is that physical suffering is dukha and the suffering from which we can free ourselves with Buddha Dhamma is written dukkha.”
- Yes. That is correct.
Dukha and sukha vedana are felt by the physical body (“sārīra.”) Dukha vedana is usually written as dukkha vedana, per your explanation.
- adukkhamasukha vedanā comes from “adukkha asukha” (rhymes like “adukkhamasukha”) or “not painful or pleasant.”
- All other vedana (somanassa and domanassa) are mind-made. Pleasant ones are somanassa, and unpleasant ones are domanassa.
- For example, the sight of an attractive person provides only an adukkhamasukha vedanā. However, due to “distorted sanna,” the mind generates a somanassa vedana. For example, animals don’t see any beauty in a woman. They become joyful when they see whoever takes care of them.
- The same holds for sounds, tastes, smells, etc. As we discussed, we don’t like the taste or smell of rotten meat, but pigs like them.
- However, physical pain is common to all. It is real and not “mind-made.” Of course, on top of that, we may generate additional domanassa vedana!
