The Four Noble Truths

08/10/25

What does this signify and what is it called

Vitarka mudra – indicates that the Buddha is teaching the dhamma

What is the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta and what else can it be called

• Can also just be called the ‘sutta’

• Records the Buddha’s first sermon in the deer park near Varanasi. Introduces the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path

What does the sutta include teachings of

• The Four Noble Truths

• The Eightfold Path

• The Middle Way

• Impermanence

• Dependent Origination (pratityasamutpada)

What is the dhamma/dharma

• Commonly used to refer to the teachings of the Buddha.

• Refers to the words of the Buddha, the practice of his teaching, and the attainment of enlightenment

Quote that the Buddha said in relation to the Four Noble Truths

“I teach suffering and the cessation of suffering.” -The Buddha

What is the symptom

Dukkha - The truth of suffering

What does dukkha mean

Suffering, stress or unsatisfactoriness. The truth that suffering is inevitable.

Examples of dukkha

• Physical suffering

• Suffering from change

• Suffering of existence

How does dukkha relate to the four sights

Because they include an old, sick and dead man.

What is the cause

Samudaya - The truth of the cause of suffering

What does Samudaya mean

It means ‘arising’, refers to the causes of suffering

What does this relate to

Tanha, since tanha is craving which is the cause of suffering

What are the three poisons

The three negative mental states that are a cause of dukkha - greed, hatred and ignorance

Which quote relates to samudaya and how

• Dhammapada 1 - “If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts, suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox.”

• It states that the mind is the cause of suffering

What is the prognosis

Nirodha - the truth of the cessation of suffering

What does nirodha mean

The cessation of suffering

How is nirodha related to enlightenment

It is linked to the concept of nirvana. Many Buddhists believe that once one has achieved enlightenment, then they have also managed to put an end to their suffering (nirodha), and therefore have achieved nirvana.

What is the prescription

Magga - the truth of the path that leads to the cessation of suffering (← what magga means)

What is the Middle Way and what is it also known as

• A way of living between both extremes (luxury and poverty)

• Also known as the Eightfold Path

What does the Buddha say following this path will lead to

It will leas to calm, direct knowledge, self-awakening and unbinding

Where can all of these truths be found (authoritative text)

The Jatakas

Why are the Four Noble Truths important

• They can help Buddhists to cope with/accept the experience of suffering

• They help to identify a cause of their suffering/ unsatisfactoriness

• They give hope that their suffering can be ended

• They give practical guidance on how they can end their suffering