The Four Noble Truths
1. Dukkha - suffering
2. Samudaya - craving
3. Nirodha – the end of suffering
4. Magga – the middle way (8 Fold Path)
1. Dukkha* exists throughout life.
2. Dukkha is caused by craving, desire, and attachment.
3. By giving up craving, desire and attachment dukkha can be destroyed.
4. The path to ending dukkha is ‘the noble eightfold path’…
“Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering.”
Source: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta ("The Discourse That Sets Turning the Wheel of Truth")
Suffering comes in many forms. Three obvious kinds of suffering correspond to the first three sights the Buddha saw on his first journey outside his palace: old age, sickness and death.
•The three root causes of all suffering
•Moha (Ignorance)
•Lobha (greed)
Dosa (hatred).
The third noble truth is that there is an end to suffering. This means that Buddhism teaches it is possible to end a person’s suffering through managing their actions and efforts and that this can lead to enlightenment.
The message of the third noble truth is that if people stop craving (tanha) then suffering will cease. Buddha taught that when people crave things but don’t get them then they become frustrated with life. So to let go of tanha stops people feeling dissatisfied.
The Fourth Noble Truth (the 8 Fold Path)
Right View
Having the correct understanding of things.
Right Intentions
Having correct goals in life.
Right Action
If you want to be happy you should not do actions that cause harm.
Right Speech
Not lying, telling the truth.
Right Effort
If you want to be happy you should let go of the things that cause harm in your life.
Right Livelihood
If you want to be happy you should not have a job that causes harm.
Right Concentration
Training one’s mind to focus and concentrate (Meditation)
Right Mindfulness
Filling one’s mind with the right memories, concepts, and ideas / Learning useful ideas.
2. Samudaya - craving
3. Nirodha – the end of suffering
4. Magga – the middle way (8 Fold Path)
1. Dukkha* exists throughout life.
2. Dukkha is caused by craving, desire, and attachment.
3. By giving up craving, desire and attachment dukkha can be destroyed.
4. The path to ending dukkha is ‘the noble eightfold path’…
“Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering.”
Source: Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta ("The Discourse That Sets Turning the Wheel of Truth")
Suffering comes in many forms. Three obvious kinds of suffering correspond to the first three sights the Buddha saw on his first journey outside his palace: old age, sickness and death.
•The three root causes of all suffering
•Moha (Ignorance)
•Lobha (greed)
Dosa (hatred).
The third noble truth is that there is an end to suffering. This means that Buddhism teaches it is possible to end a person’s suffering through managing their actions and efforts and that this can lead to enlightenment.
The message of the third noble truth is that if people stop craving (tanha) then suffering will cease. Buddha taught that when people crave things but don’t get them then they become frustrated with life. So to let go of tanha stops people feeling dissatisfied.
The Fourth Noble Truth (the 8 Fold Path)
Right View
Having the correct understanding of things.
Right Intentions
Having correct goals in life.
Right Action
If you want to be happy you should not do actions that cause harm.
Right Speech
Not lying, telling the truth.
Right Effort
If you want to be happy you should let go of the things that cause harm in your life.
Right Livelihood
If you want to be happy you should not have a job that causes harm.
Right Concentration
Training one’s mind to focus and concentrate (Meditation)
Right Mindfulness
Filling one’s mind with the right memories, concepts, and ideas / Learning useful ideas.
