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Summary

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The teachings on the Four Noble Truths are regarded as central to the teachings of Buddhism, and are said to provide a conceptual framework for Buddhist thought. These four truths explain the nature of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction), its causes, and how it can be overcome. They can be summarized as follows:

1. The truth of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction)
2. The truth of the origin of dukkha
3. The truth of the cessation of dukkha
4. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha

The first truth explains the nature of dukkha. Dukkha is commonly translated as “suffering”, “anxiety”, “dissatisfaction”, “unease”, etc., and it is said to have the following three aspects:

• the obvious suffering of physical and mental illness, growing old, and dying;
• the anxiety or stress of trying to hold onto things that are constantly changing; and
• a subtle dissatisfaction pervading all forms of life, due to the fact that all forms of life are impermanent and constantly changing.

The second truth is that the origin of dukkha can be known. Within the context of the four noble truths, the origin of dukkha is commonly explained as craving (Pali: tanha) conditioned by ignorance (Pali: avijja). On a deeper level, the root cause of dukkha is identified as ignorance (Pali: avijja) of the true nature of things. The third noble truth is that the complete cessation of dukkha is possible, and the fourth noble truth identifies a path to this cessation.

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The teachings on the Four Noble Truths explain the nature of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction), its causes, and how it can be overcome. They are regarded as central to the teachings of Buddhism, and are said to provide a conceptual framework for Buddhist thought.

The four noble truths can be summarized as follows:

1. The truth of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction)
2. The truth of the origin of dukkha
3. The truth of the cessation of dukkha
4. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha

The first truth explains the nature of dukkha. Dukkha is commonly translated as “suffering”, “anxiety”, “dissatisfaction”, “unease”, etc., and it is said to have the following three aspects:

• the obvious suffering of physical and mental illness, growing old, and dying;
• the anxiety or stress of trying to hold onto things that are constantly changing; and
• a subtle dissatisfaction pervading all forms of life, due to the fact that all forms of life are impermanent and constantly changing.

The second truth is that the origin of dukkha can be known. Within the context of the four noble truths, the origin of dukkha is commonly explained as craving (Pali: tanha) conditioned by ignorance (Pali: avijja). On a deeper level, the root cause of dukkha is identified as ignorance (Pali: avijja) of the true nature of things. The third noble truth is that the complete cessation of dukkha is possible, and the fourth noble truth identifies a path to this cessation.

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The teachings on the Four Noble Truths explain the nature of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, stress, uneasiness), its causes, and how it can be overcome. They are regarded as central to the teachings of Buddhism, and are said to provide a conceptual framework for Buddhist thought.

The four noble truths can be summarized as follows:

1. The truth of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction)
2. The truth of the origin of dukkha
3. The truth of the cessation of dukkha
4. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha

The first truth explains the nature of dukkha. Dukkha is commonly translated as “suffering”, “anxiety”, “dissatisfaction”, “unease”, etc. It is often explained according to three different patterns or categories: the obvious suffering of physical and mental illness, growing old, and dying; the anxiety or stress of trying to hold onto things that are constantly changing; a subtle dissatisfaction pervading all forms of life, due to the fact that all forms of life are impermanent and constantly changing.

The second truth asserts that the origin (Pali: samudaya) of dukkha can be known. Within the context of the four noble truths, the origin (Pali: samudaya) of dukkha is commonly explained as craving (Pali: tanha) conditioned by ignorance (Pali: avijja). On a deeper level, the root cause of suffering is identified as ignorance (Pali: avijja) of the true nature of things. The third noble truth asserts the that complete cessation of dukkha is possible, and the fourth noble truth identifies a path to this cessation.

summary ver 2

The teachings on the Four Noble Truths explain the nature of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, stress, uneasiness), its causes, and how it can be overcome. They are regarded as central to the teachings of Buddhism, and are said to provide a conceptual framework for Buddhist thought.

The four noble truths can be summarized as follows:

1. The truth of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction)
2. The truth of the origin of dukkha
3. The truth of the cessation of dukkha
4. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha

Dukkha, the first truth is commonly translated as “suffering”, “anxiety”, “dissatisfaction”, “unease”, etc. It is often explained according to three different patterns or categories: the obvious suffering of physical and mental illness, growing old, and dying; the anxiety or stress of trying to hold onto things that are constantly changing; a subtle dissatisfaction pervading all forms of life, due to the fact that all forms of life are impermanent and constantly changing.

The second truth asserts that the origin (Pali: samudaya) of dukkha can be known. Within the context of the four noble truths, the origin (Pali: samudaya) of dukkha is commonly explained as craving (Pali: tanha) conditioned by ignorance (Pali: avijja). On a deeper level, ignorance (Pali: avijja) of the true nature of things is identified as the root cause of suffering. The third noble truth asserts the that complete cessation of dukkha is possible, and the fourth noble truth identifies a path to this cessation.

summary ver 1

The teachings on the Four Noble Truths explain the nature of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, stress, uneasiness), its causes, and how it can be overcome. They are regarded as central to the teachings of Buddhism, and are said to provide a conceptual framework for Buddhist thought.

The four noble truths can be summarized as follows:

1. The truth of dukkha (suffering, anxiety, dissatisfaction)
2. The truth of the origin of dukkha
3. The truth of the cessation of dukkha
4. The truth of the path leading to the cessation of dukkha

The first truth is the truth of dukkha. Dukkha is commonly translated as “suffering”, “anxiety”, “dissatisfaction”, “unease”, etc. In the Buddhist tradition dukkha is often explained according to three different levels or categories.

• Dukkha of ordinary suffering: the obvious physical suffering or pain associated with giving birth, growing old, physical illness and the process of dying.
• Dukkha produced by change: the anxiety or stress of trying to hold onto things that are constantly changing
• Dukkha of conditioned states: a basic unsatisfactoriness pervading all forms of life, due to the fact that all forms of life are impermanent and constantly changing. On this level, the term indicates a lack of satisfaction, a sense that things never measure up to our expectations or standards.

The second truth identifies the origin of dukkha. Within the context of the four noble truths in the Theravada tradition, the origin (Pali: samudaya) of dukkha is commonly explained as craving (Pali: tanha) conditioned by ignorance (Pali: avijja). Explanations of the four noble truths within the Mahayana tradition typically present the cause of dukkha as disturbing emotions (Sanskrit: kleshas) rooted in ignorance (Sanskrit: avidya); in this context, the three poisons of ignorance, attachment and aversion are identified as the root cause of dukkha.

The third noble truth asserts the that complete cessation of dukkha is possible, and the fourth noble truth identifies a path to this cessation.

Second truth

Second truth: origin of dukkha

See also: Samudaya

The second noble truth is the truth of the origin of dukkha (Pali, Sanskrit: samudaya). The origin, or cause, of dukkha is commonly explained as craving (Pali: tanha) conditioned by ignorance (Pali: avijja). This craving runs on three channels:

• Craving for sense-pleasures (kama-tanha): this is craving for sense objects which provide pleasant feeling, or craving for sensory pleasures.
• Craving to be (bhava-tanha): this is craving to be something, to unite with an experience. This includes craving to be solid and ongoing, to be a being that has a past and a future, and craving to prevail and dominate over others.
• Craving not to be (vibhava-tanha): this is craving to not experience the world, and to be nothing; a wish to be separated from painful feelings.

Ignorance (Pali: avijja) can be defined as ignorance of the meaning and implication of the four noble truths. On a deeper level, it refers to a misunderstanding of the nature of the self and reality.

Another common explanation presents the cause of dukkha is disturbing emotions (Sanskrit: kleshas; Pali: kilesas) rooted in ignorance (Sanskrit: avidya). In this context, it is common to identify three root disturbing emotions, called the three poisons, as the root cause of suffering or dukkha. These three poisons are:

• Ignorance (Sanskrit: avidya or moha): misunderstanding of the nature of reality; bewilderment.
• Attachment (Sanskrit: raga): attachment to pleasurable experiences.
• Aversion (Sanskrit: dvesha): a fear of getting what we don't want, or not getting what we do want.

Second truth: origin of dukkha - backup

See also: Samudaya

The second noble truth is the truth of the origin of dukkha (Pali, Sanskrit: samudaya). The origin or cause of dukkha is generally explained slightly differently in the two main Buddhist traditions: Therevada and Mahayana.

In the Therevada tradition, the root cause of dukkha is generally explained as craving (Pali: tanha) conditioned by ignorance (Pali: avijja). This craving runs on three channels:

• Craving for sense-pleasures (kama-tanha): this is craving for sense objects which provide pleasant feeling, or craving for sensory pleasures.
• Craving to be (bhava-tanha): this is craving to be something, to unite with an experience.
• Craving not to be (vibhava-tanha): this is craving to not experience the world, and to be nothing; a wish to be separated from painful feelings.

In the Mahayana tradition, the root cause of dukkha is generally explained as disturbing emotions (Sanskrit: kleshas; Pali: kilesas) rooted in ignorance (Sanskrit: avidya). In this tradition, it is common to identify the three root disturbing emotions, which are referred to as the three poisons, as the root cause of suffering. These three poisons are:

• Ignorance (Sanskrit: avidya or moha): a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of reality.
• Attachment (Sanskrit: raga): attachment to pleasurable experiences
• Aversion (Sanskrit: dvesha): a fear of getting what we don't want, or not getting what we do want

Centrality

The Four Noble Truths are regarded as central to the teachings of Buddhism.

In the Buddhist tradition, it is said that just as the footprints of all the other animals can fit within the footprint of an elephant, in the same way, all of the teachings of the Buddha are contained within the teachings on the four noble truths. The four noble truths provide a conceptual framework for Buddhist thought.

According to tradition, the Buddha taught on the four noble truths repeatedly throughout his lifetime, continually expanding and clarifying his meaning. Walpola Rahula explains:

The heart of the Buddha’s teaching lies in the Four Noble Truths (Cattāri Ariyasaccāni) which he expounded in his very first sermon to his old colleagues, the five ascetics, at Isipatana (modern Sarnath) near Benares. In this sermon, as we have it in the original texts, these four Truths are given briefly. But there are innumerable places in the early Buddhist scriptures where they are explained again and again, with greater detail and in different ways. If we study the Four Noble Truths with the help of these references and explanations, we get a fairly good and accurate account of the essential teachings of the Buddha according to the original texts.

Quotes

This is not to say that the Buddha’s discourses do not contain theoretical statements of the nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to its cessation, but these descriptions function not so much as dogmas of the Buddhist faith as a convenient conceptual framework for making sense of Buddhist thought.

Gethin, Rupert (1998-07-16). The Foundations of Buddhism (p. 60). Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition.

In a Nikāya passage the Buddha thus states that he has always made known just two things, namely suffering and the cessation of suffering.1 This statement can be regarded as expressing the basic orientation of Buddhism for all times and all places. Its classic formulation is by way of ‘four noble truths’: the truth of the nature of suffering, the truth of the nature of its cause, the truth of the nature of its cessation, and the truth of the nature of the path leading to its cessation.

Gethin, Rupert (1998-07-16). The Foundations of Buddhism (p. 59). Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition.

It is in this idea of “thoughts without a thinker” that psychoanalysis has approached the Buddhist view, for it is the elimination of narcissism that Bion is suggesting, a possibility that Buddhism also holds dear. The entire thrust of the Buddha’s teaching was directed toward trying to convey this as a real possibility. He was at first reluctant even to attempt to communicate his realization, fearing that no one would grasp it. But he ultimately relented, and then formulated his first teachings as the Four Noble Truths: suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to its cessation. The Buddha’s first truth highlights the inevitability of humiliation in our lives and his second truth speaks of the primal thirst that makes such humiliation inevitable. His third truth promises release and his fourth truth spells out the means of accomplishing that

Epstein, Mark (2004-12-14). Thoughts Without A Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective (p. 42). Basic Books. Kindle Edition.

The teachings of the first turning are often summed up in a series of statements commonly known as “The Four Noble Truths,” but which may be more accurately described as “Four Pure Insights into the Way Things Are.” These four insights may be summarized as follows: 1. Ordinary life is conditioned by suffering. 2. Suffering results from causes. 3. The causes of suffering can be extinguished. 4. There is a simple path through which the causes of suffering can be extinguished.

Swanson, Eric; Mingyur, Yongey Rinpoche; Daniel Goleman (2007-03-06). The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness (p. 70). Harmony. Kindle Edition.

The teachings of the Four Noble Truths describe this possibility explicitly; they are less about religion (in the Western sense) than they are a vision of reality containing a practical blueprint for psychological relief. Positioning

Epstein, Mark (2004-12-14). Thoughts Without A Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective (p. 45). Basic Books. Kindle Edition.

Pema Chodron: we change and flow like the weather

Pema Chodron provides an explanation of the four noble truths that relates our changing thoughts and emotions to the weather. In this context, Pema Chodron summarizes the four truths as follows:

• The first noble truth says that it’s part of being human to feel discomfort. Nothing in its essence is one way or the other. All around us the wind, the fire, the earth, the water, are always taking on different qualities; they’re like magicians. We also change like the weather. We ebb and flow like the tides, we wax and wane like the moon. We fail to see that like the weather, we are fluid, not solid. And so we suffer.
• The second noble truth says that resistance is the fundamental operating mechanism of what we call ego, that resisting life causes suffering. Traditionally it’s said that the cause of suffering is clinging to our narrow view, which is to say, we are addicted to ME. We resist that we change and flow like the weather, that we have the same energy as all living things. When we resist, we dig in our heels. We make ourselves really solid. Resisting is what’s called ego.
• The third noble truth says that suffering ceases when we let go of trying to maintain the huge ME at any cost. This is what we practice in meditation. When we let go of the thinking and the story line, we’re left just sitting with the quality and the energy of whatever particular “weather” we’ve been trying to resist.
• The essence of the fourth noble truth is that we can use everything we do to help us to realize that we’re part of the energy that creates everything. If we learn to sit still like a mountain in a hurricane, unprotected from the truth and vividness and the immediacy of simply being part of life, then we are not this separate being who has to have things turn out our way. When we stop resisting and let the weather simply flow through us, we can live our lives completely. It’s up to us.