The Tree of Enlightenment

diagnosis, cure, and treatment. If you consider carefully these
four stages in the practice of the science of medicine, it will be
apparent that they correspond very closely to the formula of the
Four Noble Truths: (1) the truth of suffering clearly corresponds
to the first element of disease; (2) the truth of the cause just as
clearly corresponds to the element of diagnosis; (3) the truth of
cessation corresponds to the achievement of a cure; and (4) the
truth of the path just as clearly corresponds to the course of
treatment of a disease.
Having said this about the therapeutic nature of the formula
of the Four Noble Truths and its resemblance to the formula
evolved by ancient practitioners of the science of medicine
in India, I would like to make another point which, although
conceptual, is nonetheless very important for a correct understanding
of the Four Noble Truths. When Sariputta, who was
to become one of the Buddha’s most outstanding disciples, came
upon Assaji, one of the first five ascetics to embrace the Buddha’s
teaching, he asked him about it. Assaji is said to have replied that
he could not tell Sariputta much about the Buddha’s teaching
because he was relatively new to it. Nonetheless, Assaji went on
to give a summary of the teaching of the Buddha that goes something
like this: “Of things that proceed from a cause, their cause
the Tathagata has told, and also their cessation; thus teaches the
great ascetic.” e accounts report that Sariputta was greatly
impressed by the few words spoken by Assaji. He went to find
his friend and fellow seeker-after-truth Moggallana, and the two
of them sought out the Buddha and became his disciples.
Assaji’s very brief summary of the teaching of the Buddha
tells us something about the central conception that lies behind
45