This volume is derived from talks given at three-month training programs offered annually by the great Tibetan Buddhist Chogyam Trungpa (1940-1987) to his closest students. Here the focus is on the four Noble Truths: the truth of suffering and the origin of suffering, and the truth of freedom from suffering and the path to liberation. This material has been compiled and edited by Judith L. Lief who says in her preface, "The teachings of the four noble truths are grounded in our ordinary experiences as human beings. It is by relating with these experiences, rather than escaping them, that we can free ourselves. The radical message of the Buddha is that the potential for freedom is always at hand, and it is up to us — no one else — what we do with that."
Chogyam Trungpa looks at the anatomy of suffering identifying eight kinds: inherited suffering (birth, old age, sickness, death); the suffering of the period between birth and death (coming across what is not desirable, not being able to hold on to what is desirable, and not getting what we want); and general misery. In a chapter on the origins of suffering, Trungpa assesses the ego-oriented patterns including the belief that one's view is best, believing in the extreme of nihilism or externalism, passion, aggression, and ignorance.. Another dimension of suffering is dealing with the six root emotions of desire, anger, pride, ignorance, doubt, and opinion.
Trungpa hits high stride when he deals with the karmic patterns that lead to suffering — taking life, stealing, telling lies, gossip, envy, and disbelieving in sacredness. Meritorious karma (antidotes) include generosity, truthfulness, good wisdom, simplicity, openness, and gentleness. These teachings on the Four Noble Truths come across with authority and challenge us spiritually.
