what are the four noble truths? are they:
suffering exists
suffering is caused by desire
there is an end to suffering
the end to suffering can be reached by following the eightfold path
if you list them, could you please not use the word "cessation" because that really confuses me
2007-03-27 16:25:53 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Your list of the Four Noble Truths is quite good. Lists, however can be misleading and their meaning therefore misunderstood. The Dharma lists the Truths with explanations and there is therefore no misunderstanding of the meanings.
The Dharma uses the Pali word Dukkha which is far more encompassing than the word suffering, it can also mean insufferable or unsustained.
Suffering or Dukkha is not "caused" by desire, rather self serving or selfish desires are "caused" in our minds.
The Four Noble Truths are listed thus....
The First Noble Truth is that many of Life's experiences contain Dukkha. Birth, old age, sickness, seperation from things we like and being with things we don't like are examples of this Dukkha. But Dukkha has a cause.
The Second Noble Truth is an explanation of Dukkha and goes on to explain that it is caused by our attachment or clinging attitudes to our self serving desires, the term used is "Dependent Co-Arising", and refers to selfish desires as having a cause for arising in our minds.
The Third Noble Truth further explains that because they have a cause for arising, then they can be "caused" to end.
The Fourth Nole Truth explains that by following the Eightfold Noble Path, we can end these selfish desires thereby ending our experience of Dukkha, attaining enlightenment in the process.
I hope that I've helped and that my poor insight explains the Four Noble Truths in basic terms. Allow me a smile for a good question well posited and another smile for your well being.
Peace from a Buddhist...
2007-03-28 05:22:00 · answer #1 · answered by Gaz 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Huh, let me get my History book...
OOOOOOkeeeeeeeeehhhhh...
The Four Noble Truths
1. People experience suffering and sorrow.
2. Suffering and sorrow are caused by people's greed, hatred, and ignorance.
3.We can be freed from suffering by overcoming this cause.
4.People can overcome their greed, hatred, and ignorance by practicing the Eightfold Path. This path gives 8 steps for living a correct, or right life.
2007-03-27 23:32:51 · answer #2 · answered by The Pirate 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
VERY close!
1. Suffering exists (You got that right.)
2. Suffering is caused by ignorance
... The rest you got right...
cessation just means "brought to an end".
For what it's worth, the 3 types of suffering are:
suffering of suffering (sickness, injury, alcoholism)
suffering of ignorance (not knowing there is an alternative)
and suffering of change (when something that used to bring pleasure doesn't anymore because you have "gotten used to it", etc...
A good book on the subject is The Four Noble Truths by His Holiness The Dalai Lama.
2007-03-27 23:38:00 · answer #3 · answered by B. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is rephrased, obviously, but is correct.
A bit of elaboration: Suffering is form, feeling, perception, mental habits, and consciousness. It's more 'Suffering is in everything' than 'Suffering exists.' Dukkha itself is also broader than suffering - use 'impermanence' or 'emptiness,' if either make it a little clearer for you.
2007-03-27 23:32:51 · answer #4 · answered by Kate S 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are. Look here and it'll explain them. It does, however use the evil 'c' word that confuses you.
www.thebigveiw.com/buddhism/fourtruths.html
2007-03-27 23:31:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AreBpwdgSv48FibhBqN1LA3ty6IX?qid=20070315172256AAyEMMR&show=7#profile-info-AA10154999
Please check out my answer to this question in the above link. I hope this is helpful to you.
2007-03-28 08:27:44 · answer #6 · answered by shrill alarmist, I'm sure 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
http://www.buddhanet.net/4noble.htm
2007-03-28 12:29:05 · answer #7 · answered by sista! 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋