The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism

"The Four Noble Truths" are essential Buddhist beliefs that Buddha taught when he Turned the Wheel of Dharma. In order to understand Buddhism beliefs and practices, one must learn and then apply these Four Nobles and Eight Fold Path:

• The First Noble Truth is: Suffering Exists. In Sanskrit the word isDuhkha, pronounced "doo kah." This is not a pessimistic view but actually it is very realistic.



• The Second Noble Truth is The Cause of Suffering, which is our ignorance (not knowing the true nature of our mind), and attachment or desire (Trishna.)



• The Third Noble Truth is The End or Cessation of Suffering. This is what is termed Nirvana, which is liberation or an end to misery. Buddha taught that we don't have to suffer in our lives.



• The Fourth Noble Truth is The Path to Freedom, or liberation(marga). This is taught as The Eight Fold Path which is the prescription, so to speak, for enlightenment. It is "The Way" to live without suffering.