Four noble truths

the four noble truths

* first thing the buddha taught in deer park


1. dukkha: suffering
2. samudaya: cause of dukkha
3. nirhoda: cessation of suffering
4. magga: the way

cessation = the end off..

the buddha as a doctor analogy

* the disease: dukkha
* the cause: samudaya
* cure: nirhoda
* the medicine: magga
* doctor: buddha

the first truth

* suffering comes in many forms eg: buddhas 3 sighjts
* seen as realistic
* this recognition that all life is dukkha is the first step to overcoming it

the second truth

* usually explained in terms of craving or attachemt (we are attached to a non permanent self) comes from the 3 poisions
* we are insatibale (want more)

forms of attachment

* family
* religion
* alcohol

the third truth

* both tanna and dukkha can be overcome through escaping samsara and reaching nirvana (parinavana)
* 5 precepts


1. refrain from harming living things
2. refrain from taking what is not given
3. refrain sexual misconduct
4. refrain from false speech
5. refrain from intoxication

the fourth truth

* contain teachings designed to root out craving, ignorance, greed and hatred to achieve enlightenment
* 8 fold path: seeks out the aspects of life to which buddhists must attend in order to make processes and attain the middle way


1. **intention:** if we purify our minds of hatred and desire than not suffering can follow
2. **view :** means understanding impermanence and no self which make take life times to achieve
3. **speech :** buddhists try to avoid speech which inflates the ego
4. **action :** involves taking the precepts and living by them
5. **livelyhood :** should be no occupation to bring harm to others
6. **effort :** 3 posions are hard to overcome, great effort is required for the quest of enlightenment
7. **mindfulness :** having awarekness of the concequences of thoughts, speech and actions
8. **concentration :** the proper use of meditation to gain insight into the true nature of things

textbook - extra

* one could argue the 4 NT are essential for all buddhists as they were the first teaching the buddha develiever and contain the method of appylung the teachings in a practical way to life