sense objects, at viewpoints, at ceremonies, and at the word "I." . . .
The third part of the Fourfold Truth is a message of hope. Our disease is not incurable. . . .
The last part of the Fourfold Truth is the remedy for the disease of suffering. It is called marga or the path. . . because suffering is ended bit by bit, with many reversals, and it is something we have to tread (Corless, 1989, pp. 206-10).
Other scholars agree. Van de Wetering (1973, p. 26) says that the "first truth of Buddhism is that life means suffering. Life = suffering." But spiritual Buddhism is complex. That is, there are many levels to the Fourfold Truth. The important thing to understand is that Buddhism is first and always religious and transcendent. The aim of life is to finally and completely transcend the body (reality, existence). Until the human being achieves that, the spiritual being will be reborn in human forms until there is a unity of right moral conduct and absence of grasping. Van de Wetering gives an example of the disease of grasping at ceremony as he tells about studying in a Zen monastery. The situation was that he told the monk he wanted to become a Buddhist. The monk then explained in detail the "impressive" ceremony that would be involved.
"All our monks, and also all priests connected with the monastery in one way or another, will come. They will all dress in their best robes. I'll wear the garb which you'll have seen me in before, at New Year for instance; the robe is uncomfortable because brocade is heavy, but it looks well. Sutras will be changed and you'll have to come forward and kneel down and I'll ask you some questions to which you'll have to answer 'yes.' You'll have to declare that you are seeking your refuge in Buddha, in the Teaching, and in the Brotherhood of Buddhists. You'll also have to confirm that you will refuse to enter Nirvana till all living beings are ready to become part of the ultim...