THEFOURNOBLETRUTHSBuddhismina Nutshell
TheFourNobleTruths
1. Lifeisfullofdukkha (discontentandsuffering).2. Discontentoriginatesfromtanha (“burningthirst”,i.e.,cravingsordesires).3. Discontentcanbestoppedbyremovingcraving.4. Toremovecraving,followtheNobleEightfoldPath.
IsDukkhaPartofHumanLife?
❀ Birthisdukkha.❀ Agingisdukkha.❀ Deathisdukkha.❀ Sorrow,lamentation,pain,sadnessanddistressaredukkha.❀ Beingattachedtotheunlovedisdukkha.❀ Beingseparatedfromthelovedisdukkha.❀ Notgettingwhatonewantsisdukkha.❀ Losingwhatonehasisdukkha.
BurningThirstandDiscontent
❀ Wearehungryghosts.❀ Ourinsatiableappetitescanneverbesatisfied.❀ Thepursuitofpleasureandcomfortisintrinsicallyareflectionofdiscontent.❀ Theloathingofpainandlossleadstoworryandfear.❀ Theanxietyoveruncertaintydrivespeopletoseekpowerandcontrol.
TheFiveAggregatesofGrasping
1. form(physicalbody)2. feelings3. perceptions4. mentalformation(dispositions)5. consciousnessThefiveaggregatesgiverisetotheillusionofself.Theselfbecomesthehubofdesires.
ExtinguishingtheFlame
❀ nolongerconsumedbydesires(nolongeraconsumer)❀ nodiscontent❀ noresentment❀ noanxiety❀ thecessationofmentaltorments
TheNobleEightfoldPath
TheNobleEightfoldPathisthemainvehicletoNirvana.1.right*view(understanding)2.rightthought(resolve,intention)3.rightspeech4.rightconduct(action)5.rightlivelihood6.righteffort7.rightmindfulness8.rightmeditation(concentration)
*Sammā—apt,appropriate
TheMiddleWay
❀ TheNobleEightfoldPathisalsocalledtheMiddlePath.ItistheBuddhistwayoflife.
❀ avoidextremesinlife:noself-indulgenceandnoself-mortification❀ TheMiddleWayhelpsthemindtobebalancedtoachieveenlightenment.
RightView
❀ theunderstandingoftheFourNobleTruths❀ seeingrealityasittrulyis(interbeing,theVoidandnoself)❀ notgotfencedinbywordsandconcepts;notbeingtrappedinaparticularpointofviewormindset
RightThought
❀ thethoughtofbeingpresent,beingmindful❀ thethoughtofahimsa
❀ thethoughtofno-ill-will❀ thethoughtofharmlessness
❀ thethoughtofrenunciation
RightSpeech
❀ bemindfulofyourmotivetospeak❀ speakattherighttime,truthfully❀ speakwhatisuseful❀ refrainingfrom
lyingslandergossipharshspeechfrivolousspeech
RightConduct
❀ actionswithoutintention,unwilledactions❀ actionsunhinderedbyrules❀ toactlikeafallingleaf(SteveHagen,p.91)❀ selflessactions(SteveHagen,p.91)❀ refrainingfrom
takinglifestealing—takingmorethanwhatoneneedswhenothersareinneed
sexualmisconduct
RightLivelihood
❀ Inmakingalivingthroughaprofession,oneshouldchooseone’scareercarefullysothatone
doesnotharmoneselfandothers;canavoidunwholesomeplacesandsituations;canbecomemoreandmorevirtuous.
RightEffort
❀ developandmaintainlovingkindnessinone’sheart❀ ariseandmaintainwholesomementalstates❀ preventunwholesomementalstates
RightMindfulness
❀ beawareofwhatisgoingonatthemoment❀ abidecontemplatingthingsastheyare❀ nomisunderstanding,nodistortion❀ subsidingofcraving❀ leadstomoderationandeventuallyfreedomfromdesires❀ openupfornewexperiences❀ realizeimpermanence❀ appreciatefullybothjoyandsorrow❀ nourishesgoodwillandcompassion
RightMeditation
❀ detachedfromsense-desiresandunwholesomementalstates❀ subsidingofthinkingandpondering❀ fadingawayofdelight,achievingcalmnessandevenness❀ disappearanceofgladnessandsadness,beyondpleasureandpain