The Four Noble Truths

After he became enlightened, the Buddha gave his first sermon to five ascetic monks who were his earliest followers. At this sermon the Buddha expounded the Four Noble Truths:

1. the truth of the pervasive existence of suffering
2. the truth of the origin of suffering
3. the truth of the cessation of suffering
4. the truth of ending suffering through the Noble Eightfold Path

With this teaching he set in motion the Wheel of the Dharma, the teachings of Buddhism. The Four Noble Truths are thus the foundation of the Buddhadharma. To understand, to practice, and to realize the Four Noble Truths is to realize the whole of the Buddhadharma

Understanding these Four Noble Truths, one has a correct view of the nature of sentient existence. Without understanding these foundation teachings, one continues in a state of confusion and delusion. For those who are not already familiar with the Four Noble Truths, we offer a brief review.

The First Noble Truth
Suffering is an unavoidable feature of sentient experience. To live and experience consciousness is to experience change and uncertainty, to feel the pangs of desire, to know pain as well as pleasure, and to be subject to the vagaries of birth, old age, illness and death. These are all suffering. Thus, the beginning point of understanding the teachings of the Buddha is to understand and accept the existence of suffering. (see "Dukkha" on the next page.)

The Second Noble Truth
Suffering originates in our own mind due to wrong views that we have held since time without beginning. Of the mental poisons, or kleshas, the most pervasive are desire (or attachment), aversion or (hatred), and delusion (or ignorance). The ultimate purpose of following the path is to become free of these poisons.

The Third Noble Truth
Since suffering results from the deleterious effects of the three mental poisons, which themselves lack enduring reality, it is possible to be relieved of suffering by casting off the three poisons.

The Fourth Noble Truth
The way out of suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path, which consists of Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Actions, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Meditation, and Right Wisdom. To follow the Noble Eightfold Path is to practice the Buddha Path to liberation from suffering.