Dharma is The Coolest Of Cats.  He understands that State of Mind is everything. 

This Cat is a keen observer of human folly, and he's forever amused by the irony that seems to pervade human affairs.  He spouts fountains of wisdom as he hands down his wry comments on the human condition -- a condition so aptly portrayed by his teenage feeder, Bodhi, who stumbles ever-eagerly along the Buddha's path to Enlightenment.

With all four paws on the Noble Path, Dharma Himself never gets drawn into Bodhi's spiritual issues, as The Cat is already way beyond Bodhi in this area.  Nor does Dharma's lofty mentality ever stoop as low as Siam's earthly level of cheese-mongering.

However, Dharma is also a pragmatist.  For example, if he sees that Bodhi is about to do something which might delay Dharma's lunch, Dharma is not above running a little scam with Siam, or even moving the hands on Bodhi's clock forward, to ensure a prompt and proper feeding.

Some 2,500 years ago, the Buddha offered the world four of the most profound truths ever uttered.  And now, each of our three modern characters follows humbly in suit, offering a set of four ideas that describe the world from their own amusing perspective.  Dharma The Cat's four truths, unlike Bodhi's and Siam's, are more insightful than funny, which is true to his character.  So Dharma's truths are as follows:

1. IMPERMANENCE: In Life, the only constant factor is change.
2. INFLUENCE: Whatever qualities you perceive in other people, that's what you draw out in them.
3. SELF-DESCRIPTION: People's judgments and criticisms of others are inadvertently self-descriptive.
4. ACCUSATIONS: Accusers are guilty.

Bodhi is a teenage novice monk.  He has ambitiously renounced all worldly ambitions, in order to dedicate himself to staying on the Buddha's path to Enlightenment.  But that's not easy -- especially for him.

In meeting his ongoing challenges, Bodhi continually tries too hard.  He awkwardly grasps for the same results that Dharma has already attained through coolness and poise.  And when someone takes himself too seriously, like Bodhi does, the world loves to see him slip on on his own pretension.  And Dharma can never resist offering his own comments on such events, like pointing out that "Pride precedes a fall."

Unfortunately, Bodhi suffers from over-earnestness.  He tends to take many of the Buddha's teachings too literally, with ironic consequences that send him stumbling into every possible pitfall the spiritual path has to offer.  Information without understanding can be a dangerous thing.

For example, in preparing for meditation, Bodhi is quite capable of straining himself by struggling to force a relaxed state.  And if he ever catches himself in his own folly, he is not above placing the blame on others.  Of course he never has to look far, with the likes of a cat and a house-mouse always nearby.

Not only are Siam and Dharma his handy scapegoats, but they're also Bodhi's captive audience for his favourite pastime -- pontificating.  However, whenever Bodhi tries to teach his animals a lesson, it always ends up the other way around!

Ever undaunted, Bodhi has taken it upon himself to offer the world these four truths:

1. NON-DIRECTING: Life comes at you from all directions.
2. NON-CEASING: Life comes at you at all times.
3. NON-AVOIDING: Life comes at you even if you see it coming.
4. NON-IMPRESSING: Other people are less disappointed, less impressed and less concerned with you than you are.

Whenever it comes down to a contest of wills with either Bodhi or Dharma, Siam always comes out on top.  For example, she has been known to throw most of Bodhi's food supply off the pantry shelves and replace it with her own collection of assorted cheeses.  And there's not a whole lot Bodhi can do about it.

Siam's main role is to provide extra spiritual challenges for Bodhi -- as if he needed any.  But she is also a thorn in Dharma's side, always threatening to shatter his precious state of serenity.  And in regard to both Bodhi and Dharma, she sums up her position thusly: "Who needs philosophy, when you've got the cheese!"

Siam's four truths are:
1. NON-SINGULARITY: There is more than one way to approach any block of cheese.
2. NON-CONFLICT: When those around you fall into conflict, grab the cheese and run.
3. THE UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE: When uncertain what to do or say, be as still and quiet as a mouse.
4. OPEN DOOR POLICY: When a doorway opens, go through it.