four noble truths

What text contains the Buddha’s first teaching of the Four Noble Truths?

The Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (Turning the Wheel of Dhamma).

What do the Four Noble Truths summarise?

The Buddhist analysis of the human condition and the path to liberation.

Why does Donald Lopez call “Four Noble Truths” misleading?

Because they are not truths that are noble, but truths known by the noble ones (those awakened).

What is a more accurate Pali translation for “Four Noble Truths”?

“The four realities for the spiritually ennobled.”

What does Peter Harvey say about the Buddha’s insight?

“The Buddha had realised the nature of reality… that all things can be seen clearly and responded to appropriately.”

What are the Four Noble Truths?

• Dukkha – suffering

• Samudaya – arising of suffering

• Nirodha – cessation of suffering

• Magga – the path leading to cessation (Eightfold Path)

Key terms: Dukkha, Samudaya, Tanha?

• Dukkha = suffering/unsatisfactoriness

• Samudaya = origin, arising

• Tanha = craving, attachment

What are the three types of dukkha? (Pali terms)

• Dukkha-dukkha – ordinary pain

• Viparinama-dukkha – suffering from change

• Sankhara-dukkha – existential suffering due to conditioned existence

Describe dukkha-dukkha.

Physical and emotional pain such as illness, injury, or discomfort.

Describe viparinama-dukkha.

Suffering because things change (impermanence). E.g., losing a good mood or holiday ending.

Describe sankhara-dukkha.

Suffering inherent in conditioned existence; even positive experiences cannot last.

Give a quote illustrating the nature of life’s instability.

“Life is full of difficult experiences… the ups and downs of riding a rollercoaster ride.”

What metaphor does the Buddha use to explain the Four Truths?

The medical metaphor (illness → diagnosis → cure → treatment).

What is the most immediate cause of suffering?

Tanha (craving, attachment).

Narada Thera’s view on tanha?

Tanha is “a powerful mental force latent in all.”

Rahula’s view on the cause of dukkha?

Tanha is the root cause of suffering.

Why does Harvey say tanha is not the ultimate cause?

Because ignorance (avijja) underlies craving and begins the cycle of dependent origination.

What are the three types of craving (tanha)?

• Craving for sensual pleasure

• Craving for existence/being

• Craving for non-existence/annihilation

Quote describing the three types of craving.

“This craving is of three kinds – for more experience of the senses… for being in a certain state; or craving for annihilation.”

Kush’s quote on craving for annihilation?

“The craving for annihilation is suicidal thinking born of anger.”

Why does ignorance fuel samsara?

Without ignorance, there is no craving → no attachment → no rebirth.

What does nirodha mean?

Cessation of craving and therefore cessation of suffering.

What is nirvana?

The extinction of greed, hatred, and delusion — not the extinction of a person.

Give a canonical quote on nirvana.

This is the real, this is the excellent… the stilling of all impulses, the calming of all cravings, stopping, nirvana.” — Anguttara Nikaya

Nyanatiloka’s definition of nibbana?

“The absolute extinction of the life-affirming will manifested as Greed, Hatred and Delusion.”

What are the two types of nirvana?

• With remainder – in life

• Without remainder – at final death (parinirvana)

Why is nirvana difficult to describe?

Language is conditioned; descriptions can lead to attachment or misunderstanding.

What does Rahula warn about describing nirvana?

Positive descriptions cause clinging; negative descriptions imply nihilism.

Harvey’s explanation of nirvana?

“A radically transformed state of consciousness… absence of greed, hatred and delusion.”

Quote warning against clinging to enlightenment ideas.

“If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him!” — Kopp

What is nirvana-with-remainder?

The destruction of mental defilements during life; physical suffering remains but no emotional suffering.

How does Harvey describe nirvana in life?

“A transcendent, timeless experience… totally destroys attachment, hatred and delusion.”

What changes for the arhat?

Pain becomes just pain, not “my pain.”

What is the Noble Eightfold Path?

The practical “training” needed to eliminate suffering, grouped into morality (sila), meditation (samadhi), wisdom (panna).

What does “samma” mean?

Right, correct, or proper — all eight limbs begin with samma

What is the Parable of the Raft?

Teachings are for crossing over, not for clinging to — “For crossing over, not for teaching.”

What does the eight-spoked wheel symbolise?

The Eightfold Path turning the mind toward liberation.

Harvey on nobility?

“The Buddha had no royal birth to achieve a spiritual nobility.”

Meaning of the word nirvana?

“To blow out or extinguish.”

Quote about the role of teachings.

“The Buddha’s teaching is like a raft; once the shore (nirvana) is reached we let go.”