Explained in class as the Truth of 1.) Suffering 2.) Cause 3.) Extinction, and 4.) the Path. The Shakyamuni Buddha was motivated by a desire to understand human suffering. The doctrine of the four noble truths is meant to meet this motivation. They offer a way of living. Suffering is not skirted, but confronted. The cause of the suffering, a desire for something, identified. The suffering is annihilated by an adjustment of mental attitude. And finally, the path to rightly thought and behavior is established to extinguish suffering for good. There is a parable comparing these truths to the foot print of an elephant. Footprints from many other animals can fit in the one print of an elephant. Such are the four noble truths. All other teachings “fit” within.
We also had a side discussion on nirvana. A word that has infiltrated western speak. During the discussion I realized my mind didn’t have an accurate understanding of the concept. I equated the concept of nirvana with the concept of heaven. And, the unavoidable association with Kurt Cobain, grunge, and flannel. In Mahayana Buddhism, there are two types of nirvana. The teacher explained, one is written with the kanji characters meaning “without residue” and another written with the characters meaning “with residue”. Simply put, the residue is the physical world, including our bodies. It is somewhat fair to equate the "without residue" to heavenly bliss. What I found interesting about the other, "with residue", is the belief that nirvana, or a quiescence, is believed achievable in life. An ideal state of mankind living in harmony, peace, and quietude. What a lovely thought!
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