How is the term extinction to be understood in Theravada Buddhism?
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There is no such thing as Theravada Buddhism, actually. It is just a label, as everything else is, according to Buddhism ;-) There are many temples and monks and abbots however who are considered to be alleged with Theravada Buddhism, but the understanding of every individual can be different.
Another thing that I don't know of a term extinction as self sufficient. Usually it is used in the context of four noble truths within the trinity of dukha-nirodha-satya, where the first part is usually translated as suffering, second as extinction and third as truth. So usually extinction is understood as the extinction of suffering or the extinction of habbitual patterns leading to suffering.
There are also many understandings of what dukha or suffering is. Here is one: wanting something we don't have or desire to get rid of something we have is suffering. So anyway this dukha is about +-desire or craving.
Above Person's answer is reasonable. I would add that what is to be extinguished is self cherishing. Through the Paramitas (perfections) we develop our skillful means. Gradually we learn care for the other side. Paramita means development of care for the other person, the 'other side'. Suffering does come from desire but it is not desire that is extinguished. By Developing our enlightened mind through care for others, we eventually extinguish our desire motivated by self cherishing. It is enlightening activity that motivates our life's activities and that comes from the desire to end suffering in the world through enlightenment. Grasping after evil and grasping after good are both karma forming if they originate from self. Selfless activity is free from karmic debt. Of course the Buddha taught the middle way. We should also care for our self but we shouldn't allow that care to distract us from the needs of others.
hope you understand
There is no such thing as Theravada Buddhism, actually. It is just a label, as everything else is, according to Buddhism ;-) There are many temples and monks and abbots however who are considered to be alleged with Theravada Buddhism, but the understanding of every individual can be different.
Another thing that I don't know of a term extinction as self sufficient. Usually it is used in the context of four noble truths within the trinity of dukha-nirodha-satya, where the first part is usually translated as suffering, second as extinction and third as truth. So usually extinction is understood as the extinction of suffering or the extinction of habbitual patterns leading to suffering.
There are also many understandings of what dukha or suffering is. Here is one: wanting something we don't have or desire to get rid of something we have is suffering. So anyway this dukha is about +-desire or craving.
Above Person's answer is reasonable. I would add that what is to be extinguished is self cherishing. Through the Paramitas (perfections) we develop our skillful means. Gradually we learn care for the other side. Paramita means development of care for the other person, the 'other side'. Suffering does come from desire but it is not desire that is extinguished. By Developing our enlightened mind through care for others, we eventually extinguish our desire motivated by self cherishing. It is enlightening activity that motivates our life's activities and that comes from the desire to end suffering in the world through enlightenment. Grasping after evil and grasping after good are both karma forming if they originate from self. Selfless activity is free from karmic debt. Of course the Buddha taught the middle way. We should also care for our self but we shouldn't allow that care to distract us from the needs of others.
hope you understand
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