This paper examines central Buddhist teachings, including the elimination of Tanha (craving), the cultivation of non-attachment, and the pursuit of Nibbana and Nirvana as ultimate spiritual states. It addresses common misinterpretations of these ideals — such as the belief that non-attachment requires severing all earthly bonds — and clarifies that Buddhist philosophy is grounded in kindness, moderation, and love for all living beings. The paper applies Plato's concept of the ladder of forms to illuminate how concrete, daily actions serve as steps toward the ideal state of Nibbana, ultimately leading to Nirvana as the final unity of the soul with the creator.
Canon Buddhism entails certain central teachings that are easily misinterpreted by critics. Some of these teachings include the abstinence from Tanha and Upadana (desire and attachment), as well as practices aimed at achieving Nibbana and Nirvana. The problem with common objections to these teachings is typically that a single element is removed from its broader context and not understood according to the core of the philosophy, which is to evolve and improve spiritually.
Buddhist teaching recommends a number of ideals. These include eliminating Tanha, not seeking after anything, maintaining a consciousness with no resting place, escaping into an Unborn realm, and seeing everything as an-atta. Eliminating Tanha means cleansing the system of craving or desire, and this is coupled with the ideal of avoiding attachment. Only by avoiding attachment to material elements can the soul be free, according to this philosophy. When the soul is freed, consciousness is also free to explore without coming to rest in a single location, and escape into what is termed the Unborn realm becomes possible. The concept of an-atta refers to a sense of "not-me" that is to be cultivated in relation to all perceptible things.
It is easy to misinterpret these Buddhist ideals. A person might, for example, in seeking to avoid attachment, become completely detached from everything in his or her life, including family and work. When this happens, the person causes harm not only to him or herself, but also to others. The same occurs when attachment to daily necessities such as food or personal care is completely broken.
The ideal of avoiding attachment should therefore be understood to exclude harming oneself or others, because harm is not at the core of the Buddhist ideal. At the core of the Buddhist ideal are kindness and love. Avoiding attachments must support these values. It is important to form loving relationships, for example, but not to the exclusion of the health of the soul. It is also important to nourish the body, but not to become so attached to food that physical or spiritual well-being suffers.
Indeed, avoiding attachment relates to the ideal of moderation, rather than severing all bonds that might be fostered on earth. Avoiding attachment means regarding the soul as paramount and not allowing earthly relationships or material elements to distract the soul from its journey toward ultimate enlightenment. Buddhism does not advise against wanting anything; rather, it advises concentrating on the importance of the soul instead of placing too great an importance on things that are potentially harmful to it.
The kinds of life problems that Buddhism attempts to remedy include violence, criminal acts such as stealing, and immoral acts such as lying and greed. Buddhism holds that refraining from such harmful actions is a matter of choice, regardless of a person's basic personality. A person may choose for or against a harmful or violent act, although for some individuals such choices may be harder than for others.
An ideal Buddhist is motivated by love and kindness. This means that the characteristics of the ideal Buddhist include kindness toward all living things rather than violence. Such a person would not commit criminal acts, would give rather than steal or be greedy, and would speak the truth rather than lie. In this way the Buddhist is guided by a set of morals grounded in kindness.
Nibbana is the ideal Buddhist state of non-abiding consciousness, achieved through actions such as the avoidance of attachment and the pursuit of kindness. It is an extreme and idealistic form of goodness — a state of non-being. This cannot be readily understood by the conscious, uninitiated mind, and it is easy to criticize or deem impossible the pursuit of this ideal state. In this context it is helpful to consider Plato's ladder.
According to Plato, the absolute and idealistic form of beauty is too elevated above human consciousness to be understood in its pure form. Instead, concrete examples of beauty — such as art, music, or nature — are needed in order to convey to the mind what pure beauty can be. This is the Platonic Form of beauty. The lower forms of beauty serve as steps on a figurative ladder that leads toward absolute beauty.
The Platonic Form can also be applied to the goodness manifest in Nibbana. The ultimate Nibbana is non-being: a perfect meditative state achieved prior to Nirvana. This is the ultimate goodness, achievable through a variety of actions. It can be more easily understood by means of Plato's ladder. The virtues promoted by Buddhism — such as kindness, generosity, and non-violence — are then manifestations of Nibbana on earth.
Concrete examples could include adopting a vegetarian way of life, refusing to participate in war, and displaying kindness toward those in need. Recognizing these as displays of Nibbana helps the individual understand the nature of the ideal state. In this way, the ideal Buddhist can also demonstrate to the world what it means to embark on the journey toward that state.
This is also true in terms of the individual's own actions. Achieving Nibbana as the ideal state of Buddhist goodness may appear an overwhelming endeavor. The journey, however, does not need to begin with the idealistic end. Instead, each step toward Nibbana can be recognized as such and used as inspiration toward further efforts. In this way Plato's ladder applies to the actions taken toward Nibbana and the eventual culmination in Nirvana.
Realizing the Buddhist ideals of eliminating Tanha and achieving an-atta through concrete, daily actions helps the devotee to progress along the journey toward Nibbana.
Buddhist ideals encompass several different paradigms. As discussed above, these include giving up attachments to perceptible things in favor of the imperceptible. This includes relationships and physical pleasures such as food. This does not mean, however, that relationships and food are unimportant. They are important insofar as they sustain a life of happiness and kindness. Buddhists are not permitted to harm any living being. If forsaking relationships harms either the Buddhist or family members, that is a harmful practice and cannot be permitted according to the Buddhist ideal.
"Concrete examples of non-attachment and grief"
The core of Buddhism is thus the ultimate spirituality achieved in Nirvana. When all life lessons have been learned, this is the final state of unity between the soul and the creator. Nibbana is the manifestation of this goal on earth. Each Buddhist, while unable to achieve the ideal state in a single step, can use Plato's ladder to journey toward the goal of spiritual unity.
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