GAUTAMA BUDDHA'S DHARMA

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

1. The Existence of Suffering (Dukkha) The first noble truth is the idea that suffering is characteristic of existence in the realm of rebirth (samsara). Recognition of suffering as one of three basic characteristics; The suffering of pain - such as old age, sickness and death The suffering of change - from pleasure changing to pain The suffering of conditionality - the fact that because of impermanence, beings are susceptible to pain in the next moment Along with impermanence (anichcha) and the absence of self (anatta); constitutes the right knowledge. This truth is about accepting that there is suffering - it happens and exists.

2. The Origin (Samudaya) of Suffering The second noble truth is the cause or origin of suffering, which the Buddha associated with craving or attachment in his first sermon. In order to end suffering we must first understand the cause. In other Buddhist texts the causes of suffering are understood to be stemming from negative actions (eg. killing, stealing and lying) and the form of attachment that motivates the negative actions. The three forms of craving; desire, hatred and ignorance. In order to reach enlightenment these mental states should be avoided.

3. The Cessation (Nirodha) of Suffering The third noble truth is the cessation of suffering (sanskrit: nirvana). Knowing that suffering can end, recognising that there is a way to stop suffering, move away from it and get closer to enlightenment. In stopping attachment and breaking the cycle of craving and arising; enlightenment is attainable, a state of being awake to the true nature of reality; eventually reaching nirvana.

4 The Path (Magga) to the Cessation of Suffering The fourth noble truth is that there is a way to end suffering. The Buddha taught that people should live the middle way and avoid extremity, between luxury and poverty. The Dharma also instructs meditation and The Noble Eightfold Path that is followed to end suffering and reach nirvana.

THE NOBLE EIGHT-FOLD PATH

The fourth noble truth contains the guidelines towards the end of suffering: The Noble Eightfold Path. The eight parts of the path to liberation constitute; right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration, right thought and right understanding. Grouping them into three essential elements of Buddhism: moral conduct, mental discipline and wisdom.

1. MORAL CONDUCT

Essential fundamentals based on love in development of wisdom.

Right Speech

Abstaining from backbiting, slander, and talk inviting hatred, emnity, disunity and idle, useless, foolish babble and gossip. Learning to naturally speak truth, using words friendly and beneficial.

Right Action

Involving honorable and peaceful conduct. Refraining from destructive behavior.

Right Livelihood

In respect to making a living through professions that are innocent of harm to others.

2. MENTAL DISCIPLINE

Right Effort

The energetic will in prevention of evil and unwholesome states of mind arising; producing the good and wholesome ones.

Right Mindfulness

Being aware, mindful and attentive regarding four forms of mental culture or meditation; (1) the body, (2) senses or feelings, (3) activities of the mind and (4) ideas, thoughts conceptions and objects.

Right Concentration

Four stages; (1) discarding thoughts that are unhealthy and maintaining feelings of happiness and mental activity, (2) suppressing imaginings and developing one pointedness of mind, (3) Retention of happiness towards equanimity and (4) Remaining aware.

3. WISDOM

Right Thought

Thoughts tending towards selflessness, detatchment, love, non-voilence and extending them towards all beings.

Right Understanding

Understanding things as they really are tending to the four noble truths in both knowing accordingly extending to true nature.