What's your opinion on the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism?

Question

Four Noble Truths (Sanskrit Catvari-Arya-Satyani), the four fundamental principles of Buddhism, expounded by the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, after his enlightenment in the 6th century bc. The first truth is the Holy Truth of Suffering: All existence is suffering (dukkha). The second is the Holy Truth of the Cause of Suffering: The cause (samudaya) of suffering is ignorant craving (tanha) for pleasure, striving for life, and the assumption that everything ends at death. The third truth is the Holy Truth of the Cessation of Suffering: Suffering can cease (nirodha) by withdrawal from and renunciation of craving. The fourth truth is the Holy Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering: The path (magga) that leads to the end of suffering is the Eightfold Path. Although interpreted in various ways, these precepts are accepted by all schools of Buddhism and serve as the foundation of the religion. They are held to provide the key to the ideal state of being—that is, nirvana.

From Microsoft Encarta.

Answer 1

It is foolishness to say that all truth comes from Buddha. There
is truth in many sayings. To push another down to make one feel tall is arrogance first but ignorance most. There are many truths in other places than the ones you have found in Buddhism;

Consider these from the written words you disdain:

James 1: 2-4
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
1:12-15
"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
1 Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it

Answer 2

I'm particularly interested in the First Noble Truth, it is my favourite.

A full understanding of this one should provide an understanding of the others. It has been said by some Teachers or Bukkhus that this is the only one to really fully understand as it encompasses them all.

A full understanding of this encompasses awareness of the true nature of the self which is vital for us to follow the Path.

I'm still learning its lessons, it's a wonderfully intricate Truth and my favourite to contemplate.

Peace from a Buddhist...

Answer 3

That is the most basic and yet the most powerful teaching. It open the door to cosmic truth. That is the thing none can overthrow, by power or otherwise, those who got a brain will believe the Buddha.

Compare to bible's revealation, the revealation chapter is nothing. Compare to 'god''s domination, the god's will thing is childish stuff.

Answer 4

There is more truth in what you've typed (or cut and pasted as the case may be), than in the whole of the bible, quran, and torah...

One nit to pick though...Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion.

Answer 5

They are Noble because Arya beings have found them to be incontrovertible Truths. The rest of us would do well to continue to think about them again and again.

Answer 6

They are good to keep in mind. Our world is so material and we desire so many things. The more desires we can get rid of the less suffering we will have.

Answer 7

You received some excellent comments, concerning the 4 noble Truths of Buddhism,
so adding to their statements.

You provided an excellent explanation of these truths also. Thank You.
*Please Patiently cont. to read. *Thanks.

The Four Noble Truths, & The Noble Eightfold Path [the 4th Noble Truth], which as you stated, is the means to end our sufferings, dissatisfactions, pain, misery, lack of peace, and unhappiness - are all the
sociological, philisophical, spiritual, and psychological means of Providing mankind the stable Peace of Mind, Happiness, and Purpose in Life, which mankind has always longed for. And has been searching for since the beginning of time. Whether one uses the Theravadan, or the Mahayahan/Tibetan, or the Zen tradtions of Buddhism, the end result is the same.

Scientists, Sociologists, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, D.B.T. {Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), M.B.S.R. {Mindfully-Based
Stress Reductions clinics) such as Dr. Jon
Kabat-Zinn PhD., and many other Medical Doctors throughout the known world have all discovered within the last 150 years, and are practicing in their clinics, offices, hospitals, etc. mindfulness {insight) based therapy for their patients, which has a 98% success rate [the other 2% is because of a lack of right {Skillfull) effort applied-[but in due time, it becomes 100%) says Dr. Jon
Kabat-Zinn Ph.D.

These Four logical Truths toward daily lessoning and eventually totally ending one's dissatisfactions & sufferings in life, with the goal of acquiring a stable Peace of Mind, and Happiness have been around for approximately 2,500 years, as you [asker of the question] probably already know.

What is very assuring, is that through the practice of these Truths, we can see into the true nature of things in life, thus we are able to see things, people, situations, problems, challenges in life as they really are, and as a result are able to think, speak,
act [behave], and re-act in a very wholesome, non-harming, productive manner toward others and ourselves, and by Skillfully {Mindfully) practicing these Truths daily we are dissolving, and eradicating worries, anger, hatred, depression, greed, selfishness, ignorance, anxieties, desires/cravings, false attachments, thus as a result we are able to effectively demonstrate unconditional loving-kindness, patience, gentleness, humility, joy, generosity, wisdom, and insight with others in life. This gives us stable mental, spiritual, emotional, and psychological peace, and Happiness.
We realize that our purpose in this life is not just to work a 9 - 5 job/career, maybe get married, have children, buy a house, go on vacations [and all of that is fine, as the Middle Way approach, balance is applied], but we come to realize that our purpose is much more profound. Our purpose is to help mankind in whatever ways possible, through sharing/teaching these 4 Noble and Skillful Truths with others in life to help them bring an end to their dissatisfactions & sufferings in life to have mental and spiritual peace, and Happiness. It becomes our aim to help all of mankind to be awakened, aware, mindul that these Truths are the means of acquiring that which every human being has always longed for, true peace of mind, and true Happiness.

But of course sound intellectual wisdom but be applied. Students of Buddhism do not convert others. This is not our way of being. We very patiently wait for others to humbly ask questions, then we share. By doing this, we are respecting the free will of others.

Every human being, is responsible for his or her own Peace of Mind, and Happiness, and no person or deity can provide this for us. We, ourselves must attain this on our own. It is helpful to have others who encourage us along the way, but the only guide we have is found in the Tripatka, especially the Dhammapada {within the
Tripatka. That serves as our important guide, but we are the ones who must walk the Path mindfully {insightfully), but it does help a lot to have friends which do choose to encourage us along the way.

Thank You to fellow Buddhists of all Buddhist traditions, as well as all of those in Yahoo-Land, for all the help in your answers and encouragement. I am a new student of the Dharma, only one year.

Thank You for the opportunity to provide you with "an" answer to your excellent question.

With Metta {Loving-friendliness).

Answer 8

I cant find a qualm with them