Four Noble Truths (Catu Ārya Satya)

• Truth of Suffering (Dukha Satya)

• Truth of Causes of Suffering (Dukkha
Samudāya Satya)
• Truth of Cessation of Suffering (Dukkha Nirodh
Satya)
• Truth of Path Leading to Cessation of Suffering
(Dukkha Nirodh Gāmini Pratipadā Satya)
l) Truth of Suffering
• It is to understand that there is suffering in the
world when there is
(i) Birth
(ii) Old-age
(iii) Illness
(iv) Death
(v) Sorrow, lamentation, grief and despair
(vi) Living with disliked ones
(vii) Separation from beloved ones
(viii) Not getting what is wanted.
• In brief, the Five Aggregates (Pancha Skandha)
- Form (Rupa), Feeling (Vedana), Perception
(Sanjna), Mental states (Sanskara) and
Consciousness (Vijnana) are suffering.
2) Truth of Cause of Suffering
• The main cause of suffering is craving (Triṣṇā).
• It is an attachment or desire or thirst rooted in
ignorance. The Craving is of three types:
1. Craving for Pleasure (Kāma Triṣṇā): This is the
craving to get sensual objects which involve
sight, sound, touch, taste, smell and mental
perspectives that please us.
2. Craving for Existence (Bhava Triṣṇā): This is
the craving for eternal life or existence. It is
the desire to be born again and again.
3. Craving for Non-Existence (Bibhava Triṣṇā):
This is the craving not willing to accept the
situation as it is. It is the desire to end our
lives forever.
3) Truth of Cessation of Suffering
• Three cravings are the causes of suffering
which are to be eradicated.
• The elimination of the cause (craving)
eliminates the result (suffering). The end of
suffering is the attainment of Nirvaṇa.
4) Truth of Path Leading to Cessation of
Suffering
• The path is known as the Noble Eightfold Path
(Ārya Astāǹgika Mārga).
• The Eightfold Path is also called the Middle
Way.
• It avoids both indulgence and severe
asceticism.
1. Right Understanding (Samyak Dṛṣti)
2. Right Thought (Samyak Saǹkalpa)
3. Right Speech (Samyak Vācā)
4. Right conduct (Samyak Karmānta)
5. Right Livelihood (Samyak Ājiva)
6. Right Effort (Samyak Vyāyām)
7. Right Mindfulness (Samyak Sati)
8. Right Concentration (Samyak Samādhi)
1. Right Understanding
• Right Understanding means accepting the Four
Noble Truths
2. Right Thought
• Right Thought is a commitment to cultivate the
right attitudes.
• The most commendable thoughts are the thought
of renunciation, the thought of getting rid of ill-
will and the thought of not harming any beings.
3. Right Speech
• Refrain from false speech and to speak the
truth.
• Give up the practices of back-biting, use of
harsh words and habits of gossiping.
• Speeches should be pleasant and beneficial to
the hearer.
4. Right Conduct
• It is to refrain from acts of killing, stealing and
committing sexual misconduct.
5. Right Livelihood
• A person should abstain in making a living
(i) dealing in human beings (ii) dealing in flesh
(iii) dealing in intoxicating drinks (iv) dealing in
poisons (v) dealing in arms.
6. Right Effort
(i) The effort to prevent the arising of evil which
has not arisen.
(ii) The effort to eradicate that evil which has
already accumulated.
(iii) The effort to induce good which has not yet
arisen.
(iv) The effort to cultivate that good which is
already present.
7. Right Mindfulness
• This consists in one's having a constant vigil
over the body, the feelings and the states
mind.
8. Right Concentration
• The stage of Right Concentration begins with
mind's effort at one-pointedness (Ekāgratā)
directed towards some wholesome object.
• The Noble Eightfold Path consists of the three
major teachings:
• Śila (Moral conduct)
• Samādhi (Mind development)
• Prajnā (Wisdom).