[layedgebiamma]

1. Life means suffering.

To live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetime, we inevitably have to endure physical suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death; and we have to endure psychological suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. Although there are different degrees of suffering and there are also positive experiences in life that we perceive as the opposite of suffering, such as ease, comfort and happiness, life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete, because our world is subject to impermanence. This means we are never able to keep permanently what we strive for, and just as happy moments pass by, we ourselves and our loved ones will pass away one day, too.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things and the ignorance thereof. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and -in a greater sense- all objects of our perception. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is attached to impermanent things. The reasons for suffering are desire, passion, ardour, pursuit of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity, or in short: craving and clinging. Because the objects of our attachment are transient, their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will necessarily follow. Objects of attachment also include the idea of a "self" which is a delusion, because there is no abiding self. What we call "self" is just an imagined entity, and we are merely a part of the ceaseless becoming of the universe.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

The cessation of suffering can be attained through nirodha. Nirodha means the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion. Nirodha extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering. Attaining and perfecting dispassion is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of Nirvana. Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

There is a path to the end of suffering - a gradual path of self-improvement, which is described more detailed in the Eightfold Path. It is the middle way between the two extremes of excessive self-indulgence (hedonism) and excessive self-mortification (asceticism); and it leads to the end of the cycle of rebirth. The latter quality discerns it from other paths which are merely "wandering on the wheel of becoming", because these do not have a final object. The path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning. Craving, ignorance, delusions, and its effects will disappear gradually, as progress is made on the path.

[Lvnufcdc]

Hi Timbo,

Have you posted the 4 Noble Truths to have a discussion about them ?

with kind wishes

Aloka

[FilmCriticAwezume]

A perfect Psychological tool/formula to help yourself with mental ailments. I wouldn't agree entirely on, "To live means to suffer," however, maybe word it differently? "Life is full of suffering." To live without mindfulness of yourself (Thoughts, Actions, and Speech), with ignorance and attachments, etc, is to suffer. It's how we live, how we percieve things, and how we think, that leads to suffering.

[Paiblyelaxy]

Aloka sorry yes I have just like to know how members see the 4 nobel truths

[Diwokfkq]

Hi everyone! As Ajahn Sumedho has said, The Four Noble Truths are worthy of a lifetime of cultivation in and of themselves. Tom

[Nppracph]

A perfect Psychological tool/formula to help yourself with mental ailments. I wouldn't agree entirely on, "To live means to suffer," however, maybe word it differently? "Life is full of suffering." To live without mindfulness of yourself (Thoughts, Actions, and Speech), with ignorance and attachments, etc, is to suffer. It's how we live, how we percieve things, and how we think, that leads to suffering.

Have you seen this online resource from teachings given by Ajahn Sumedho on The Four Noble Truths ? One of my favourites

http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm

[letmelogin]

Hi andyrobyn! No, but I'll check it out. Thanks and Happy Cultivating, Tom

[BrainTop]

Timbo,

What an eloquent and concise formulation of the Four Noble Truths! I'm sure it will serve well those who seek a plain spoken description of them.

Could you write a similar essay on the Eightfold Path? I know i would welcome such a work.

[GalasaKoll]

Timbo,

What an eloquent and concise formulation of the Four Noble Truths! I'm sure it will serve well those who seek a plain spoken description of them.

Could you write a similar essay on the Eightfold Path? I know i would welcome such a work.

Hi Gus

I think Timbo has done a copy and paste from another site and has forgotten to include a URL reference and some personal input for us.

kind regards

Aloka

[86GlSqSK]

Here is the link to the text quoted in the OP: http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/fourtruths.html

Similar essays can be found at this website, including an essay about the Eightfold Path.

[r5YOPDyk]

Have you seen this online resource from teachings given by Ajahn Sumedho on The Four Noble Truths ? One of my favourites

http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm

I agree with andyrobyn. That is an outstanding essay. A friendly reading, easy to understand, grounded, far from philosophical entanglements, pragmatic and useful to daily affairs but never loosing depth of content and transcendence into everlasting happiness.

[apatteopipt]

Hi everyone,

We have two versions of the Four Noble Truths pinned at the beginning of the topics here in the Beginners forum. One is by Tamara Engel and the other by Ajahn Sumedho.

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...-Ajahn-Sumedho

(The fourth Noble Truth contains the Eightfold Path)

[Podosinovik]

yes I did thanks Aloka