The Four Noble Truths
1. Life is filled with Suffering. Buddhists describe suffering (in Pali: dukkha ) as follows:
To be born is to suffer
To age is to suffer,
To be ill is to suffer,
To die is to suffer;
To experience that which is displeasing is to suffer;
To be separated from that which is pleasing is to suffer;
Not to be able to get what one wants is to suffer;
To get what one does not want is to suffer;
2. Where suffering comes from: Suffering is caused by craving. Put another way suffering results from expectations linked to our desires, and our attachment to those desires themselves.
3. The elimination of Suffering: To get rid of suffering, get rid of craving. The third Noble Truth is the belief that suffering can be eliminated.
4. How to eliminate Craving: To get rid of craving one must follow the Eightfold Path which is:
right view,
right intention,
right speech,
right action,
right livelihood,
right effort,
right mindfulness,
right concentration.
The Four Noble Truths are expressed in many ways. I use these in my introduction to Buddhism:
1. Life is characterized by unsatisfactoriness (pain, unhappiness)
2. This unsatisfactoriness is due to desires or cravings
3. This unsatisfactoriness can be removed by eliminating desire
4. Desire can be eliminated (Nirvana can be attained) by following the true paths
The True Paths are the six paramitas: Generosity and Charity, Morality, Tolerance, Wisdom,
Discipline (Perseverance), Meditation. The first three concern doing good for others. The second three concern doing good for oneself.