The Four Noble Truths & The Noble Eightfold Path

The Four Noble Truths

(1). Dukkha (고성제, 苦聖諦, Suffering) is an innate characteristic of transient existence; nothing is permanent, and that is suffering. The first truth, suffering, is an impermanent characteristic of existence in the realm of continuous rebirth, called samsara (wandering).

(2). Samudaya (집성제, 集聖諦, Cause of Suffering): together with this transient world and its suffering, there is also thirst, craving for, and attachment to this transient, unsatisfactory existence. To end suffering, the four noble truths tell us, one needs to know how and why suffering arises. The second noble truth explains that suffering arises because of craving, desire, and attachment.

(3). Nirodha(멸성제, 滅聖諦 Severance of Suffering): the attachment to this transient world and its suffering can be severed or contained by the controlling or letting go of this craving. If the cause of suffering is desire and attachment to various transient things, then the way to end suffering is to eliminate such craving, desire, and attachment.

(4). Marga (도성제, 道聖諦, Ways to Extinguish Suffering): the Noble Eightfold Path is the path leading to the extinguishing of this desire (craving) and attachment, and therefore release from dukkha, suffering.

The Noble Eightfold Path

Buddhists must adhere to the Noble Eightfold Path to reach the ultimate liberation, nirvana.  What is The Noble Eightfold Path? Buddha’s Guide To Enlightenment

Wisdom

Right Understanding (View): Correctly understanding the Four Noble Truths, anattā (no-self), anicca (impermanence), and the dependent origination.       The Noble Eightfold Path (1): Right View   The Four Noble Truths Of Buddhism Explained ***   The Noble Eightfold Path: Right View (Samma Ditthi)

Right Thought (Intention, Resolve): Committing to the path with an intention free from greed, hatred, and harmful thoughts (delusions).  Noble Eightfold Path: Right Intention (Samma Sankappa)   ***Right Resolve In Real Life - Buddha's Path To An Inner Pleasure (Concentration)   The Noble Eightfold Path (2): Right Intention

Ethical Conduct

Right Speech: Abstaining from lying, divisive speech, harsh speech, and idle chatter.   Practicing Buddhist Right Speech: Pervasive, Wise, and Difficult

Right Action (Intention): Avoiding harmful actions like killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.  Right Action in Buddhism - Why It’s the Most Important Possession You Can Have

Right Livelihood: Earning a living in a way that does not harm others, for example, by avoiding trades involving weapons, intoxicants, the sale of live animals, human trafficking, profiteering from slave labor, drug trafficking, predatory lending (usury) or predatory business practices, frauds (hacking and eavesdropping, insurance, financial, criminal entrapment, medical, forced organ harvesting), preaching hatred and false religious faiths (death cults), lobbyists who put corporate (few individuals) profit before safety or well-being of the general public (mass), warmongers (politicians) who drive others to meaningless deaths, and many other ways of living out of the pains and suffering of others.  ***Buddha’s Teaching: Why Right Livelihood is Essential  Practicing Buddhist Right Livelihood: Surprisingly Beneficial  The Noble Eightfold Path (5): Right Livelihood

Mental Discipline

Right Effort: Cultivating positive states of mind and abandoning negative ones.    Buddhism: What is Right Effort?  ***Right Resolve In Real Life - Buddha's Path To An Inner Pleasure (Concentration)***

Right Mindfulness: Being aware of one's body, feelings, mind, and mental objects.  Practicing Buddhist Right Mindfulness: Touching Bedrock  The Eightfold Path: What is Right Mindfulness?

Right Concentration: Developing deep, single-pointed focus through meditation to gain insight.     Practicing Buddhist Right Concentration: Encountering the Esoteric   The Noble Eightfold Path (8): Right Concentration