The Four Noble Truths symbolize the foundation of Buddhism because they carry the real meaning of Buddha’s teachings. Before understanding the essence of the four pillars of truth, nirvana, one needs to understand who the Buddha is. Siddhartha Gautama, “the Buddha,” was born into a wealthy family as a prince in present-day Nepal. Gautama was touched by suffering in the world, despite his comfortable existence. Gautama chose to forego his opulent lifestyle and live in poverty. When it did not work, Buddha promoted the notion of the “Middle Way,” a term that comprises being halfway between two extremes. As a result, he longed for a life of both social luxuries and deprivation. Buddhists believe that Gautama Buddha obtained enlightenment after spending six years meditating under a sacred Bodhi tree.
The Four Noble Truths represent Buddhism’s basis. This is because they contain the true meaning of Buddha’s teachings. These principles are Dukkha, or suffering’s truth; Samudaya, suffering’s genesis; Nirodha, cessation; and Magga, or the route to suffering’s end. Two Arrows’ short story depicts the foundation built by the pillars of truth via the Buddha. The second arrow tale is a Buddhist fable on dealing with pain more effectively. The agony of being hit by an arrow is excruciating. It is considerably more terrible to be hit by a second arrow.
On the other hand, the second arrow represents our reaction to the first. A double needle is not required. The Buddha’s last words were, “Behold, O monks, this is my last advice to you. All component things in the world are changeable. They are not lasting. Work hard to gain your salvation” (Ueno). Do these words say a lot about what he laid down in his teaching and led his whole life to what end? This event refers the student of the history and tradition of Buddhism to the concept of nirvana. The “blowing out” or “quenching” of the worldly mind’s activities and attendant sadness is called Nirvana, a fundamental term in all Buddhism philosophy. Nirvana’s, in general meaning, the soteriological release from temporal suffering and rebirths in samsara, is attained by following the Buddhist path. The Buddha noticed that there is no such thing as ideal existence, and hence suffering is far deeper than what we perceive on the surface. Nirvana is part of the Third Truth or Dukkha, the truth of suffering.
Work Cited
Ueno, Makio. “Vasubandhu’s Humorous Stories: Preachers as Seen in Vyākhyāyukti.” Journal of Indian and Buddhist Studies (Indogaku Bukkyogaku Kenkyu), vol. 69, no. 3, 2021, pp. 1072–78. Crossref, doi:10.4259/ibk.69.3_1072.