THE NON-SUFFERING (NIRODHA SACCA)

Nirodha means extinction. It is the opposite of origination, Samudaya. It is the complete destruction of causes, which becomes extinct and completely destroyed, never to arise or exist again. The ultimate goal of Nirodha Sacca is to attain Nibbāna, a state of profound peace, deliverance, and enlightenment.

When the right understanding and right thoughts is perfected, it is called Nibbāna, which is complete destruction of ignorance and cravings. As a result, unwholesome actions will no longer be performed by bodily, speech and mind because the roots of unwholesome actions - greed, hatred, and delusion is abandoned and their roots destroyed. For the attainment of perfection of the right understanding and right thoughts, the three doors of actions – body speech and mind must be free from greed, hatred and delusion.

Right Understanding, or Right View, is the first step on the Eightfold Path, and it entails having a clear and accurate perception of the nature of reality. At its core, Right Understanding involves recognizing the Noble Truths of suffering (dukkha) is an inherent part of life, that suffering is caused by desire and ignorance, that suffering can be transcended, and that the Eightfold Path provides the means to reach that state of Nibbāna. Right Understanding, therefore, is the recognition of these truths.

Right Thought is the second component of the Eightfold Path, and it builds upon the foundation of Right Understanding. Once a laity has gained a clear view of the nature of reality and the causes of suffering, they must work on their mental habits and thoughts. Right Thought encourages individuals to cultivate wholesome and beneficial thoughts.

Right Thought consists of three primary aspects:

1.    Renunciation: The way of the world is the way of desire, and the fools seek happiness by pursuing these desires. The Buddha’s message of renunciation is that desire to be resisted and eventually abandoned. Desire is to be abandoned because it is the root of suffering and becomes the key to happiness.

2.    Goodwill: Right Thought cultivates kindness and compassion toward all beings. Ill-will breeds resentment, provokes retaliation, creates enemies, poisons relationships, and generates unwholesome Kamma.

3.    Non-violence: Our thoughts are very powerful; they determine our mental states of happiness or sadness then our actions. With this understanding, Right Thought promotes a commitment to non-violence and compassion in both thought and action. The Buddha said all tremble at violence; life is dear to all. Putting oneself in the place of another, one should not kill nor cause another to kill.

These two aspects of the Eightfold Path, Right Understanding and Right Thought, are intimately connected. Right Understanding provides the intellectual foundation for Right Thought enabling individuals to make wise and compassionate choices. In turn, Right Thought reinforces Right Understanding by putting wisdom into practice through one's actions and intentions. Together, they form the basis for ethical conduct and mental discipline.

Kamma, the action of body, speech, and mind that are unwholesome are to be avoided that causes rebirth and brings sufferings. Worldlings perform various wholesome and unwholesome actions due to greed, hatred, and delusion, which are the byproduct of ignorance. Because of the cause of these wholesome and unwholesome actions, rebirth is the resultant effect. This is the law of nature.

The perfection of the right understanding and right thoughts gives rise to wisdom. When wisdom is awakened, ignorance is destroyed. Ignorance conditions rebirth whereas wisdom leads to Nibbāna. Thus, Nibbāna is the extinguishing or blowing out of the fires of greed, hatred and ignorance. Nibbāna denotes perfect happiness, contentment, peace, and emptiness.