More than 2500 years ago, Buddha Shakyamuni revealed his own answer to the confusing problem of human misery in the form of Buddhist philosophy, based on the reality of existence and experience. It is primarily a science of the mind. Known as the Four Noble Truths, it was taught by the Buddha in Varanasi, India, and summarizes all of the teachings that followed. This is the root of all forms of practice in Buddhist philosophy. The Four Noble Truths are: the Truth of Suffering, the Truth of the Cause of Suffering, the Truth of the Cessation of Suffering, and the Truth of the Path that leads to the Cessation of Suffering. The Four Noble Truths outline the uniqueness of Buddhist philosophy and its foundations.
The Noble Truth of Suffering
‘Suffering’ here means any phenomenon which was a fruition of one’s tainted actions and disturbing emotions. The Buddha said that all compounded phenomena are impermanent and all tainted phenomena are suffering.
The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering
The best way to end the boundless suffering of this ordinary world is first to know the actual origin of this suffering. By doing so, one will know the perfect method for overcoming it. Thus, Buddha Shakyamuni taught the Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering. It is explained that one’s actions (karma), performed under the influence of afflicted states of mind, are the origin of all suffering.
The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
This noble truth provides the explanation that suffering will only truly cease by attaining nirvana. One should abandon all disturbing emotions and the false concept of self in order to attain this state. The truth of the cessation of suffering permanently pacifies the root of all suffering.
The Noble Truth of the Path That Leads to the Cessation of Suffering
This noble truth details the actual practice which can lead to cessation of suffering.