Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Four Noble Truths
If belief in rebirth, karma and merit are the basis of lay-followers' faith in Buddhism, the
Four Noble Truths (Tibetan:
phakpay denpa shi
) might be thought of as its philosophical
underpinning.
Dukkha (Suffering)
The first of the Four Noble Truths is that life is suffering. This suffering extends through
all the countless rebirths of beings, and finds its origin in the imperfection of life. Every
rebirth brings with it the pain of birth, the pain of ageing, the pain of death, the pain of as-
sociation with unpleasant things, the loss of things we are attached to and the failure to
achieve the things we desire.
Tanha (Desire)
The reason for this suffering is the second Noble Truth, and lies in our dissatisfaction with
imperfection, in our desire for things to be other than they are. What is more, this dissatis-
faction leads to actions and karmic consequences that prolong the cycle of rebirths and
may lead to even more suffering, much like a mouse running endlessly in a wheel.
Nibbana (Cessation of Desire)
Known in English as nirvana,
nibbana
(Tibetan:
namtrol
) is the cessation of all desire; an
end to attachment. With the cessation of desire comes an end to suffering, the achievement
of complete nonattachment and an end to the cycle of rebirth. Nirvana is the ultimate goal
of Buddhism. Nitpickers might point out that the will to achieve nirvana is a desire in it-
self. Buddhists answer that this desire is tolerated as a useful means to an end, but it is
only when this desire, too, is extinguished that nirvana is truly achieved.
Noble Eightfold Path
The fourth of the Noble Truths prescribes a course that for the lay practitioner will lead to
the accumulation of merit, and for the serious devotee may lead to nirvana. The compon-
ents of this path are (1) right understanding, (2) right thought, (3) right speech, (4) right
action, (5) right livelihood, (6) right effort, (7) right mindfulness and (8) right concentra-
tion. Needless to say, each of these has a 'wrong' corollary.
