"What Buddha Taught" Part II
by Dr. Rahul
THE THIRD NOBLE TRUTH:
THE FREEDOM FROM SORROW (DUKKHA) or NIRVANA ‑
Nirvana is known as the extinction of thirst (craving), absence of desire, detachment, extinction of hatred and illusion, and freedom from conceit. Nirvana is the annihilation of the illusion, or of the false idea of self.
When a person does not cling to anything in the world; he will not be anxious, and he is completely calmed within. He knows at the time of his death, that he has lived a pure life, has done what should be done, and knows that nothing more is left to be done.
Now when he experiences a pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral sensation, he knows that it is not permanent. It does not bind him with passion.
Without being bound to it, whatever the sensation, may be that he experiences, he knows that all those sensations will be pacified with the dissolution of the body. This is just as the flame of a lamp goes out when the oil or wick give out.
What is Absolute Truth?
The Absolute Truth is that there is nothing absolute in the world. Everything is relative, conditioned, and impermanent. There is no unchanging, everlasting, absolute substance like "soul" or "atman". This is where Buddhism differs from Hinduism.
He who has realized the truth, is the happiest being in the world. He is free from all "complexes" and obsessions, the worries and troubles that torment others.
He does not repent the past, nor does he brood over future. He lives fully in the present. Therefore he appreciates and enjoys things in the purest sense without self‑projections.
He is joyful, free from anxiety, serene, and peaceful. As he is free from selfish desire, hatred, ignorance, conceit, pride and all such "defilements", he is pure and gentle, full of universal love, compassion, kindness, sympathy, understanding, and tolerance.
His service to others is pure, for he has no thought of self. He gains nothing, accumulates nothing, not even anything spiritual, because he is free from illusion of self and the "thirst" for becoming.
He who understands these teachings should give up even good things as well as bad things.
THE FOURTH NOBLE TRUTH
THE PATH TO THE FREEDOM FROM SORROW (DUKKHA) ‑
This is known as the "middle path" because it avoids two extremes: The search for happiness through the pleasures of senses
‑ The search for happiness through self‑mortification, which is painful
Even though this path is very difficult for an average person, one MUST try to achieve a goal as close to what is described below. One must not give up because it is hard to achieve Nirvana. One must try to get as close to Nirvana as possible.
The Middle Path is composed of eight categories:
(1) Right speech
(2) Right action
(3) Right livelihood
(4) Right effort
(5) Right mindfulness
(6) Right concentration
(7) Right understanding
(8) Right thought
Right speech, right action, and right livelihood constitute ethical conduct.
Right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration are mental disciplines.
Right understanding and right thought constitute wisdom.
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