The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths are:
- We all suffer
- Our suffering is caused by craving
- There is a way to stop craving & suffering
- That way is the Noble Eightfold Path
Buddhists believe that when the Buddha became Enlightened, he found the answer to the question of why there is unhappiness and suffering in the world. He became free from suffering himself and saw that others could do the same. He walked a hundred miles to Sarnath to find his five friends. He wanted to tell them what he had discovered.
The Buddha used a well known Indian medical formula to help explain the Four Noble Truths to his friends. Buddhists believe that the Buddha’s teaching is a cure for the world’s illnesses.
- What is the illness?
- What has caused the illness?
- Does a cure exist?
- The remedy - what does the patient need to do in order to be cured?
1. THE FIRST NOBLE TRUTH - the illness.
The illness is the suffering and unhappiness that everyone feels at some time in their lives.
2. THE SECOND NOBLE TRUTH - the cause of the illness.
The cause of unhappiness is craving. We tend to want more and more of everything. We become unhappy with what we have. There is always something else that is going to make us feel right.
3. THE THIRD NOBLE TRUTH - a cure is possible.
It is possible to be happy and free from craving. This state of perfect freedom and happiness is the same as Enlightenment.
4. THE FOURTH NOBLE TRUTH - the remedy.
The way to overcome the craving which causes our unhappiness is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path. This path is sometimes called The Middle Way; it is a middle way between extremes. The Buddha had once lived a life of luxury as a prince. He had also tried a life of extreme hardship - the ascetic life. He taught that following the Noble Eightfold Path, a middle way, leads to happiness and freedom from suffering.