Notes1. At his enlightenment, the Buddha proclaimed the four noble truths: (1) the noble truth of unsatisfactoriness; (2) the noble truth of the origin of unsatisfactoriness (which is craving); (3) the noble truth of the final extinction of unsatisfactoriness (which is liberation); (4) the noble truth of the path leading to the final extinction of unsatisfactoriness (which is the Noble Eightfold Path).
2. The two teachings are on worldly dependent arising (discussed in this chapter) and transcendental dependent arising (discussed in the remainder of the book, beginning with chapter 5).
3. The other three imponderables are: (1) the intricacies of karma; (2) the range of influence of a buddha; and (3) the range of influence of a person in meditative absorption. See also pp. 178-80
4. (1) Mindfulness, (2) investigation of the law (of nature), (3) energy, (4) rapture, (5) tranquility, (6) concentration, and (7) equanimity.
5. Ficus religiosa, a species of fig tree, named bodhi, “enlightenment,” since it sheltered the Buddha during his enlightenment struggle.
6. The five aggregates making up a human being: body, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness.
7. (1) Generosity, (2) moral conduct, (3) renunciation, (4) wisdom, (5) energy, (6) patience, (7) truthfulness, (8) determination, (9) loving-kindness, and (10) equanimity.
8. (1) Personality belief (wrong view of self), (2) skeptical doubt, (3) belief in rites and rituals, (4) sensual desire, (5) ill will, (6) craving for fine-material existence, (7) craving for nonmaterial existence, (8) conceit, (9) restlessness, and (10) ignorance.
9. (1) To refrain from killing living beings, (2) to refrain from taking what is not given, (3) to refrain from sexual misconduct, (4) to refrain from lying and harsh words, and (5) to refrain from alcohol and drugs.
10. The fourth noble truth consists of: (1) right view, (2) right aspiration, (3) right speech, (4) right action, (5) right livelihood, (6) right effort, (7) right mindfulness, and (8) right concentration.