Four Noble Truths - by Bhikkhu Bodhi

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS – BHIKKHU BODHI

Part I

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE DHAMMA

Salient feaures of Dhamma

Many shades of meaning The Buddha's teaching is called the Dhamma. The word 'Dhamma' has several shades of meaning . In the most basic sense ' Dhamma' signifies the true nature of things. Dhamma is the fundamental element of lawfulness operating in the universe, structuring all events, all experience and all phenomena.

All actual things, all phenomena are called dhammas in the plural because all of them embody the true nature of things.

Dhamma also means the ethical law, the fundamental principle of righteousness, the cosmic law of virtue and goodness

Dhamma also has a practical sense, something

applicable to our own life. Dhamma is that which

sustains us , which supports us, or which upholds our

own effort to live in virtue and goodness. In this

sense Dhamma is the path.

On the one hand it is the lower path of virtue, on the

other, Dhamma is the Supramundane path, the

higher path that leads to realization of the true

nature of things.

The Buddha's teaching is called the Dhamma,

because this teaching makes known the true nature

of things - discloses the true nature of all existence.

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

SIGNIFICANCE OF ‘FOUR’, ‘NOBLE’ ‘TRUTHS’

THE FIRST NOBLE TRUTH - DUKKHA

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS – BHIKKHU BODHI

Part II

FIRST NOBLE TRUTH – DUKKHA; WHY IS IT TAUGHT?

EXISTENCE AS IT IS – REAL HAPPINESS

Existence As It Is – Real Happiness

II. SECOND NOBLE TRUTH – ORIGIN OF DUKKHA

Second Noble Truth – Origin: Craving

CRAVING -THE ORIGIN OF SUFFERING

Now we have to see how craving originates Dukkha. The causal role of craving can be seen at two levels - a psychological level and a universal or cosmic level.

Psychological levelWe find that craving is the underlying root of unhappiness, sorrow, grief, fear, worry, and disapointment. Craving gives rise to sorrow when we are separated from the persons or things we are attached to. Also it gives rise to fear, we become afraid of losing what wehave obtained, we are afraid that people might reject us or that circumstances might separate us.

There are several stages in the psychological process by which craving leads to Dukkha. They are as follows:

(a) The very moment craving arises it brings along with it a feeling of dissatisfaction.This arises due to the contrast between one's present state of lack-of oneself without the object-and the possibility of fulfilling oneself by possession of the object. This is the Dukkha of striving and seeking.

(b) In the enjoyment of the objectThe enjoyment of the object is accompanied by the suffering of protection. Once we get an object we have to protect it.

(c) Loss of the objectWith the break up of an object or loss of a loved one there is suffering of deprivation.

If we examine our mind carefully we find that simply yielding to desire brings us only temporary satisfaction, which actually fuels the force of craving. Craving arises more strongly in the future. We need more money, more pleasure, more power. Thus it brings a stronger inner dissatisfaction. This is the way craving becomes the origin of suffering at thepsychological level.

Second Noble Truth – Origin: Craving

Cosmic level

At a deeper level, craving is the force which fuels the round of rebirth, samsara. Craving uses the body as a means of finding delight.

At death the body can no longer support consciousness, but the craving remains. Therefore, It latches onto a new body as thephysical form and brings about rebirth, and the new existence provides the base of craving.

In this way it originates Dukkha over and over again.

SECOND NOBLE TRUTH – CAUSE: CRAVING

THIRD NOBLE TRUTH - CESSATION

FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS – ACTIONS