Four Noble Truths: Difference between revisions

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According to [[Siddhartha Gautama]], the founder of [[Buddhism]], to pursue the middle way of life between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification, one must recognize the Four Noble Truths:
'''The Four Noble Truths''' are the central teaching of the [[Dhammacakka Sutta]], the first discourse of the [[Buddha]] upon his attainment of enlightenment.  In the [[Pali]] canon, the [[Dhammacakka Sutta]] is contained within the [[Samyutta Nikaya]] text.  This discourse is known as the Pali Sutra, the Dharmapadha, and various translates in English to the ''Wheel of Dharma Discourse''.
:#human life is an existence of suffering
:#human suffering is caused by desire for things that cannot satisfy the spirit
:#suffering can be ended and humans set free by renouncing these desires, which are rooted in ignorance
:#humans can free themselves of desire by following the [[Eightfold Path]]


The Truths, as delineated by the [[Buddha]] in this discourse are:
:#The Noble Truth of Suffering; suffering (dukkha) involves birth, aging, illness, death, being with what is displeasing, being separated from what is pleasing, not getting what one wants, and the five aggregates of clinging (pancupādānakkhandhā).
:#The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering; the origin of suffering (dukkhasamudayo) is craving (tanhā) or deisre rooted in sensual pleasures, existence, and extermination.
:#The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering; the end of suffering (dukkhanirodho) is attainable, and is achieved through the relinquishment of and freedom from craving, clinging, and desire.
:#The Noble Truth of the Way Leading to the Cessation of Suffering; the means to the end of suffering is [[The Eightfold Path]].


[[Category:CZ Live]]
[[Category:CZ Live]]
[[Category:Religion Workgroup]]
[[Category:Religion Workgroup]]
[[Category:Stub Articles]]
[[Category:Stub Articles]]

Revision as of 13:23, 26 December 2007

The Four Noble Truths are the central teaching of the Dhammacakka Sutta, the first discourse of the Buddha upon his attainment of enlightenment. In the Pali canon, the Dhammacakka Sutta is contained within the Samyutta Nikaya text. This discourse is known as the Pali Sutra, the Dharmapadha, and various translates in English to the Wheel of Dharma Discourse.

The Truths, as delineated by the Buddha in this discourse are:

  1. The Noble Truth of Suffering; suffering (dukkha) involves birth, aging, illness, death, being with what is displeasing, being separated from what is pleasing, not getting what one wants, and the five aggregates of clinging (pancupādānakkhandhā).
  2. The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering; the origin of suffering (dukkhasamudayo) is craving (tanhā) or deisre rooted in sensual pleasures, existence, and extermination.
  3. The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering; the end of suffering (dukkhanirodho) is attainable, and is achieved through the relinquishment of and freedom from craving, clinging, and desire.
  4. The Noble Truth of the Way Leading to the Cessation of Suffering; the means to the end of suffering is The Eightfold Path.