THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

The four noble truths are the most fundamental teaching of Buddhism. They were taught by Shakyamuni Buddha shortly after his enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. They elegantly express the reality of life and point out the path to enlightenment. They are the basis of all schools of Buddhism

The Four Noble Truths have been expressed in various forms in the English language. Here is how they are defined in the glossary of “The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin”, published by the Soka Gakkai:

The First Noble Truth:

All existence is suffering

The Second Noble Truth:

Suffering is caused by selfish craving

The Third Noble Truth:

The eradication of selfish craving brings about the cessation of suffering and enables one to attain Nirvana

The Fourth Noble Truth:

There is a path by which this eradication can be achieved, namely the discipline of the Eightfold Path.

The Eightfold Path consists of:

1 right views

2 right thinking

3 right speech

4 right action

5 right way of life

6 right endeavour

7 right mindfulness

8 right meditation