Spock Preaches the Four Noble Truths

This is an iconic line from an iconic episode of the original series Star Trek:

After a time, you may find that “having” is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as “wanting.”  It is not logical, but it is often true.

Spock, “Amok Time” (s2ep1), stardate 3372.7

I like to think that this also encapsulates the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism very nice:

1. Existence is marked by dukkha¹ : dissatisfaction, unease, disappointment, etc.
2. This dukkha arises from “wanting” or from unrealistic expectations.
3. It doesn’t have to be this way.
4. The way to avoid dukkha is to follow a lifestyle that is rational, “logical” and upright. In other words, the Noble Eightfold Path. 🖖

Buddhism historically uses a wide variety of parables, similes and other ways of expressing this, but they all say the same basic thing that Spock does: stop shooting yourself in the foot.

Namu Shaka Nyorai

Namu Amida Butsu

¹ One of those fancy Buddhist Sanskrit terms that all the popular social-media influencers use… just kidding. 😉