Source http://wheelofdharma.tripod.com/dharmapage/id1.html
Shortly after his Awakening, the Buddha ("the Awakened One") delivered his first sermon, in which he laid out the essential framework upon which all his later teachings were based. This framework consists of the Four Noble Truths, four fundamental principles of nature (Dhamma) that emerged from the Buddha's honest and penetrating assessment of the human condition and that serve to define the entire scope of Buddhist practice. These truths are not statements of belief. Rather, they are categories by which we can frame our direct experience in a way that is conducive to Awakening: Life Contains Suffering, Suffering is Caused by desire ( Particularly selfish desire), there is an end to suffering, The end is the 8 fold Noble Path...
Buddhists believe in the Four Noble
Truths about existence which is :
1. Life is suffering...
Life on earth is not easy. We are
bounded to suffering. Living is suffering. In everyday life we see suffering,
we feel suffering and suffering is painful.
2. Suffering is caused by attachments
and ignorance...
Many human beings are attached to
the materialistic world. Attachments to something creates suffering, whether
it is money, power or anything. It is sad to say that nowadays, many people
are blinded to wealth and power - a result of greed, jealousy and hatred.
What they never realize is all these materialistic possesions are not eternity,
these cannot bring true happiness. Their attachments never cease and so
are their sufferings.
3. Suffering can be ended...
Some people can see the cause of
their suffering. They look into long term happiness. Materialistic possesions
cannot bring true eternal happiness! Hence, they realize that they need
to end their attachmens somehow, to attain true happiness.
4. The way to end suffering is by
following the ...
...Noble Eightfold Path:
The Noble Eightfold Path describes the way to the end of suffering, as it was laid out by Siddhartha Gautama Buddha. It is a practical guideline to ethical and mental development with the goal of freeing the individual from attachments and delusions; and it finally leads to understanding the truth about all things. Together with the Four Noble Truths it constitutes the gist of Buddhism. Great emphasis is put on the practical aspect, because it is only through practice that one can attain a higher level of existence and finally reach Nirvana.
The Eightfold Paths are subdivided
into 3 categories
A) Sila (Morality) -
1. Right Speech
2. Right Action
3. Right Livelihood
B) Samadhi (Mentality)
4. Right Effort
5. Right Mindfulness
6. Right Concentration
C) Panna (Wisdom)
7. Right Understanding
8. Right Thoughts
Some links to The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path at
www.thebigview.com/buddhism
The Four Noble Truths
The Eightfold Path
