It's important to distinguish the cultural trappings of Buddhism from the inner teaching - specifically, the 4 noble truths. Suffering is covered in detail (sub-divided into: intrinsic, due to change, due to formations; hidden, revealed). Suffering falls away when it is looked at and accepted - but we all tend to avoid doing this, thereby perpetuating our suffering. 

Jacqui James was a Buddhist Insight meditation teacher and the co-founder of the House of Inner Tranquillity. Jacqui passed away in 1989, aged only 42.  

This talk was given in April 1988