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4x Truths - Introduction

INTRODUCTION | FIRST | SECOND | THIRD | FOURTH

 

 The Four Noble Truths form the core of Buddhist thought. They are the briefest, most exact, synthesis of the entire teachings of Buddhism. All doctrines found in the threefold canon (tipitaka) have, without exception, their roots here. I particularly emphasise this point as, with so much data (especially on the web) available on Buddhism, it can be difficult to get a clear perspective on just what Buddhism is. There are numerous cultural expressions in many countries - both East and West - but most, if not all, have the Four Noble Truths at their heart. An in-depth study of this essential teaching will establish an indispensible foundation for further investigation. This following quote from scripture exemplifies this 'inclusive' principle:
"Then, picking up a few Simsapa leaves with his hand, the Buddha asked the monks, 'What do you think, monks: Which are more numerous, the leaves in my hand or those in the forest?'
'The leaves in your hand are few in number, lord. Those overhead in the forest are far more numerous.'
'In the same way, monks, those things that I have known with direct knowledge but have not taught are far more numerous [than what I have taught]. And what have I taught? "Dukkha... The origination of dukkha... The cessation of dukkha... The path of practice leading to the cessation of dukkha."


 These Truths are the nucleus of the Buddha's teaching and all later teachings have their foundation here.
One analogy is of a doctor (the Buddha) treating a patient:
• first, the diagnosis - there is this (mental) affliction  dukkha
• second, the cause of the illness - desire  tanha
• third, prognosis (forecast) - you can be well - cessation  nirodha
• fourth, the cure - the medicine - a path of practice  magga

The Four Noble Truths comprise the doctrine of the Buddha, his teaching. The fourth Noble Truth is the path of practice; training, renunciation, discipline; that is the Eightfold Path. It is useful to note that the first factor of the Noble Eightfold Path, right understanding, is the understanding of the Four Noble Truths. Thus these two principles penetrate and include one another; the Four Noble Truths containing the Eightfold Path and the Eightfold Path containing the Four Truths. They lock together into an indivisible unity called the dhamma-vinaya, the 'teaching-practice' or 'doctrine-discipline'. This inseperable relationship makes clear the equal value the Buddha gave to both the teachings, as doctrine or 'theory', and the path of practice. However it is the personal application of the teachings in practice that brings the 'theory' to life, making it accessible to us in our daily life. Reading cook books is important but unless you get into the kitchen (and break a few eggs?) you will remain hungry.

the journey
begins

     From the Dhamma Cakka Sutta. . .
> 1: the truth of dukkha
Now this, monks, is the Noble Truth of dukkha: birth is dukkha; ageing is dukkha; and death is dukkha; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair are dukkha; association with the unloved is dukkha; separation from the loved is dukkha; not attaining one's wishes is dukkha; in brief, the five categories of the grasping mind [see: khandas ( § )] are dukkha.
> 2: the origin of dukkha
Now this, monks, is the Noble Truth of the origin of dukkha: it is the craving (tanha) that conditions renewal of being, which is accompanied by passionate pleasure, and takes delight in this and that object: namely, sensual craving; craving to become; craving for annihilation.
> 3: the ending of dukkha
Now this, monks, is the Noble Truth of the cessation of dukkha: it is the complete and passionless cessation (nirodha) of that craving; giving it up, abandoning it, being released and detached from it.
> 4: the path to end dukkha
Now this, monks, is the Noble Truth of the way (magga) leading to the cessation of dukkha: it is this - the Noble Eightfold Path, namely: right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.

The logic is not difficult to follow: "With desire as the cause (of suffering), just let go of desire!" Hand is burning - just take it out of the fire. Easier said than done. Hence the fourth Truth - a methodology. How to turn desire around. The underlying problem is that our desires, our habits and conditioning (both good and bad) are deeply ingrained; the roots run deep. With this in mind the eight-fold path outlines a form of practice and a way of life that questions, often challenges, our materialist, acquisitive, sensual conditioning - not always a comfortable process. We must each ask the question: "Is my suffering bad enough to warrant the effort of change?" If the anwer is 'yes' then we develop strategies accordingly, using this fourth truth as a framework. We undertake a path of practice.



l i g h t
"Just as a light in one and the same moment simultaneously performs four functions: burning the wick, dispelling darkness, producing light, and consuming oil; just so the enlightened master perfects in one and the same moment, simultaneously, all the four Noble Truths. They master suffering by fully comprehending it, master the origin of suffering by overcoming it, master the eightfold Path by developing it, masters the extinction of suffering by realising it."
"Monks, it is through not realizing, through not penetrating the Four Noble Truths that this long course of birth and death has been passed through and undergone by me as well as by you. What are these four? They are the noble truth of Dukkha; the noble truth of the origin of Dukkha; the noble truth of the cessation of Dukkha; and the noble truth of the way to the cessation of Dukkha. But now, monks, that these have been realized and penetrated, cut off is the craving for existence, destroyed is that which leads to renewed becoming, and there is no fresh becoming."
INTRODUCTION | FIRST | SECOND | THIRD | FOURTH