The Four Noble Truths

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

1. THERE IS SUFFERING - The world is full of suffering. Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, sickness and death are sufferings. To meet a man whom one hates is suffering, to be seperated from a beloved one is suffering. In fact, life that is not free from desire and passion is always involved with distress. This is called the Truth of Suffering.
2. CAUSE OF SUFFERING - The cause of human suffering is undoubtedly found in the thirsts of the physical body and in the illusions of worldly passion. If these thirsts and illusions are traced back to their source, they are found to be rooted in the intense desires of the physical instincts. Thus, desire, having a strong will-to-live as its basis, seeks that which it feels desirable, even if it is sometimes death. This is called the Truth of the Cause of Suffering.
3. END OF SUFFERING - If desire, which lies at the root of all human passion, can be removed, then passion will die out and all human suffering will be ended. This is called the Truth of the Cessation of Suffering.
4. PATH TO END SUFFERING - In order to enter into a state where there is no desire and no suffering, one must follow a certain path. The stages of this Noble Eightfold Path are: Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Behavior, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. This is called the Truth of the Noble Path to the Cessation of the Cause of Suffering.

- Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, Tokyo

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I welcome you to discuss the teaching of Buddha.