what are four noble truths of buddhism ?  

According to the Pali Tipitaka, the Four Noble Truths were the first teaching of Gautama Buddha after attaining Nirvana.[30] They are sometimes considered as containing the essence of the teachings of the Buddha and are presented in the manner of a medical diagnosis and remedial prescription in a style that was common at that time:

According to a common interpretation, they roughly state that:

Life as we know it ultimately is or leads to "suffering" in one way or the other.
The cause of this "suffering" is attachment to, or craving for worldly pleasures of all kinds and clinging to this very existence, our "self" and the things or people we - due to our delusions - deem the cause of our respective happiness or unhappiness.
The "suffering" ends when the craving ends, or one is freed from all desires by eliminating the delusions, reaches "Enlightenment";
The way to reach that liberated state is by following the path the Buddha has laid out.
This interpretation is followed closely by many modern Theravadins,[citation needed] described by early westerns scholars and taught as an introduction to Buddhism by some contemporary Mahayana teachers like the Dalai Lama.[31]

According to other interpretations by Buddhist teachers and scholars and lately recognized by some western scholars as well[32] the "truths" do not represent mere statements, but divisions or aspects of most phenomena, which falls into one of these four categories:

Suffering and causes of suffering
Cessation and the paths towards liberation of suffering.
Thus, according to the Macmillan Encyclopedia of Buddhism[33] they are

"the noble truth that is suffering"
"the noble truth that is the arising of suffering"
"the noble truth that is the end of suffering"
"the noble truth that is the way leading to the end of suffering"
The early teaching[34], and the traditional understanding in the Theravada,[35] is that the four noble truths are an advanced teaching for those who are ready for them. The Mahayana position is that they are a preliminary teaching for people not yet ready for the higher and more expansive Mahayana teachings.[36] They are little known in the Far East

Answered by Vipan Thapar , an ibibo Master, at 12:35 PM on October 08, 2008

1. THIS IS SUFFERING

According to the Buddha, whatever life we lead, it has the nature of some aspect of suffering. Even if we consider ourselves happy for a while, this happiness is transitory by nature. This mean that at best, we can only find temporary happiness and pleasure in life.

Suffering (or unsatisfactoriness) can be distinguished in three types:
1. Suffering of suffering: this refers to the most obvious aspects like pain, fear and mental distress.
2. Suffering of change: refers to the problems that change brings, like joy disappears, nothing stays, decay and death.
3. All-pervasive suffering: this is the most difficult to understand aspect, it refers to the fact that we always have the potential to suffer or can get into problematic situations. Even death is not a solution in Buddhist philosophy, as we will simply find ourselves being reborn in a different body, which will also experience problems.

2. THE CAUSES OF SUFFERING

The reason that we experience suffering comes ultimately from our mind. According to Buddhism, our main mental problems or root delusions are: attachment, anger and ignorance. Because of these delusions, we engage in actions that cause problems to ourselves and others. With every negative action (karma) we do, we create a potential for negative experiences. (See also the page on karma.)

3. SUFFERING CAN END, NIRVANA IS PEACE

This is the most positive message of Buddhism: although suffering is always present in cyclic existence, we can end this cycle of problems and pain, and enter Nirvana, which is a state beyond all suffering.
The reasoning behind this Third Noble Truth is the fact that suffering and the causes of suffering are dependent on the state of our own mind, so if we can change our own mind, we can also eliminate suffering. The reasons we do actions that cause ourselves and others harm come from our delusions. When we possess the proper wisdom (conventional and ultimate), we can rid ourselves of delusions, and thus of all our problems and suffering. When this process is complete, we can leave cyclic existence and enjoy the state of Nirvana, free of problems.

4. THE TRUE PATH, OR EIGHT-FOLD NOBLE PATH

If we can control our body and mind in a way that we help others instead of doing them harm, and generating wisdom in our own mind, we can end our suffering and problems.

Answered by Jitendra , an ibibo Master, at 3:30 AM on October 08, 2008

The Four Noble Truths

1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

1. Life means suffering.

To live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetime, we inevitably have to endure physical suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death; and we have to endure psychological suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. Although there are different degrees of suffering and there are also positive experiences in life that we perceive as the opposite of suffering, such as ease, comfort and happiness, life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete, because our world is subject to impermanence. This means we are never able to keep permanently what we strive for, and just as happy moments pass by, we ourselves and our loved ones will pass away one day, too.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things and the ignorance thereof. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and -in a greater sense- all objects of our perception. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is attached to impermanent things. The reasons for suffering are desire, passion, ardour, pursuit of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity, or in short: craving and clinging. Because the objects of our attachment are transient, their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will necessarily follow. Objects of attachment also include the idea of a "self" which is a delusion, because there is no abiding self. What we call "self" is just an imagined entity, and we are merely a part of the ceaseless becoming of the universe.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

The cessation of suffering can be attained through nirodha. Nirodha means the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion. Nirodha extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering. Attaining and perfecting dispassion is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of Nirvana. Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

There is a path to the end of suffering - a gradual path of self-improvement, which is described more detailed in the Eightfold Path. It is the middle way between the two extremes of excessive self-indulgence (hedonism) and excessive self-mortification (asceticism); and it leads to the end of the cycle of rebirth. The latter quality discerns it from other paths which are merely "wandering on the wheel of becoming", because these do not have a final object. The path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning. Craving, ignorance, delusions, and its effects will disappear gradually, as progress is made on the path.
visit www.thebigview.com

Answered by Jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 10:04 PM on October 07, 2008

well,The Four Noble Truths

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 9:46 PM on October 07, 2008

The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism summarize the essence of the teachings of Buddha. In the following lines, we will tell you about the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism in detail…

The Noble Truth of Suffering (Dukkha) :

The First Noble Truth is the Truth of suffering or dukkha. Suffering includes physical, emotional and mental forms of suffering. However, on a more generic basis, it can also be interpreted as a feeling of dissatisfaction. The Truth states that any happiness that we receive in life will not last forever. Old age, sickness and inevitably death are inevitable and cannot be avoided. In the scriptures, suffering is defined according to the following categories: Birth, Decay, Death, Sorrow, Lamentation, Pain, Grief and Despair. Also, not getting what one desires has also been defined as suffering.

The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering (Samudaya) :

The Second Noble Truth is the Truth of the origin of suffering. Also known as Samudaya, it says that craving or tanha (literally 'thirst') is the reason for suffering. Put plainly, it is our constant craving for what is pleasurable in what we see, hear, smell, taste, touch and think, which leads us to suffering. Throughout our life, we are constantly driven by our desire for pleasant sensations. When we cannot get these pleasant sensations, as is usually the case, we feel frustrated, dissatisfied. In other words, we suffer. The subtle forms of craving comprise of a longing for fame, wealth, recognition, so on and so forth.

The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha) :

The Third Noble Truth refers to Truth of the cessation of suffering. It says that suffering can be brought to an end through Nirodha. Nirodha means the unmaking of sensual yearning and attachment. It is the state in which one does not crave anymore and with the alleviation of craving, suffering also fades. It is a permanent state of peace, in which there is greed, hatred and delusion. It is the freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. With Nirvana, the round of rebirths comes to an end.

The Noble Truth that leads to the Extinction of Suffering (Magga) :

The Fourth Noble Truth is the Truth the leads to the extinction of suffering. Also known as Magga, it provides us with the Noble Eightfold Path. The factors included in the Eightfold Path consist of right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration.

Answered by Yogeshwar , an ibibo Specialist, at 8:31 PM on October 07, 2008

According to the Buddha, whatever life we lead, it has the nature of some aspect of suffering. Even if we consider ourselves happy for a while, this happiness is transitory by nature. This mean that at best, we can only find temporary happiness and pleasure in life.
Following are the four noble truths of Buddhism

Suffering
THE CAUSES OF SUFFERING
SUFFERING CAN END, NIRVANA IS PEACE
THE TRUE PATH, OR EIGHT-FOLD NOBLE PATH

Answered by Arle Rambabu , an ibibo Master, at 7:24 PM on October 07, 2008

Dear unmand !


THE FOUR NOBEL TROUTHS OF BUDDHISM ARE :

[1] EXISTANCE OF SORROW .

[2] CAUSE OF SORROW .

[3] CESSATION OF SORROW.

[4] WAY WHICH LEADS TO THE CESSATION OF SORROW.

Thanks, with divine love and blessings.......................... ...........................shiva.

Answered by SHIVA SHANKE , an ibibo Master, at 7:03 PM on October 07, 2008

According to a common interpretation, they roughly state that:

1. Life as we know it ultimately is or leads to "suffering" in one way or the other.
2. The cause of this "suffering" is attachment to, or craving for worldly pleasures of all kinds and clinging to this very existence, our "self" and the things or people we - due to our delusions - deem the cause of our respective happiness or unhappiness.
3. The "suffering" ends when the craving ends, or one is freed from all desires by eliminating the delusions, reaches "Enlightenment";
4. The way to reach that liberated state is by following the path the Buddha has laid out.

Thus, according to the Macmillan Encyclopedia of Buddhism[33] they are

1. "the noble truth that is suffering"
2. "the noble truth that is the arising of suffering"
3. "the noble truth that is the end of suffering"
4. "the noble truth that is the way leading to the end of suffering"


For more visit :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B uddhism

Answered by Ashish Yadav , an ibibo Wizard, at 6:02 PM on October 07, 2008