Tuesday, March 25, 2003

I was inspired to consider

I was inspired to consider Buddhist theory by a small metal amulet I recently saw which bore the legend, “4 TRUTHS”.  The four noble truths of Buddhism may be summarized as follows:

1.  All of life involves suffering.
2.  Selfish craving causes suffering.
3.  Suffering can be eliminated by eliminating its preconditions.
4.  The Eightfold Path is the way to remove the preconditions of suffering.  These consist of right seeing, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.

The four truths can be a powerful and effective guide to enlightenment.  However, I question the value of amulets like the one I mentioned above.  It was a license plate, and frankly I consider it a bit duplicitous to get all righteous about suffering, selfish cravings, and the preconditions thereof when you’re DRIVING A BMW 740il - BADLY - ON THE 101 IN MARIN COUNTY.  If you want to tell me that life is suffering, don’t be driving a nicer car than I am when you try it.  I can eliminate your preconditions while-u-wait. 

However, it does put me in mind of two really unfortunate acronyms I’ve noticed on certain Toyota and Dodge trucks.  Some Dodge trucks bear a chrome plate that reads, “SLT.” All that’s missing is ‘u’... needless to say, they’re pick-ups.  Not to be outdone, Toyota attaches a plate that reads “TRD.” Charming.  If you want to drive a piece of shit, don’t let me stop you…