The four noble truths of Buddhism, as posed in two distinctly different sets of terms;

1) All of life is suffering
2) Suffering is caused by ignorant desire
3) Suffering can be eliminated
4) The way is the noble eightfold path

Now, I think this is where you're coming from in terms of the suffering thing. Here's Jack Kerouak's take on the matter;

1) All of life is joy
2) Joy is caused by enlightened desire
3) Joy can be enhanced
4) The way is the noble eightfold path

(The noble eightfold path is, as I understand it, sort of a Buddhist version to the Judeo/Christian ten commandments. The topic matter is mostly about spending a good amount of time in meditation, not hurting anything, and living a simple honest life. Professor, if I'm totally off the mark on this, please let me know).

So, the point here is that from our western perspective the focus is on desire . But maybe the real focus in that second noble truth is ignorant . Just something to gnaw on.