THEFOURNOBLETRUTHSBuddhismina Nutshell

TheFourNobleTruths

1. Lifeisfullofdukkha (discontentandsuffering).2. Discontentoriginatesfromtanha (“burningthirst”,i.e.,cravingsordesires).3. Discontentcanbestoppedbyremovingcraving.4. Toremovecraving,followtheNobleEightfoldPath.

IsDukkhaPartofHumanLife?

❀ Birthisdukkha.❀ Agingisdukkha.❀ Deathisdukkha.❀ Sorrow,lamentation,pain,sadnessanddistressaredukkha.❀ Beingattachedtotheunlovedisdukkha.❀ Beingseparatedfromthelovedisdukkha.❀ Notgettingwhatonewantsisdukkha.❀ Losingwhatonehasisdukkha.

BurningThirstandDiscontent

❀ Wearehungryghosts.❀ Ourinsatiableappetitescanneverbesatisfied.❀ Thepursuitofpleasureandcomfortisintrinsicallyareflectionofdiscontent.❀ Theloathingofpainandlossleadstoworryandfear.❀ Theanxietyoveruncertaintydrivespeopletoseekpowerandcontrol.

TheFiveAggregatesofGrasping

1. form(physicalbody)2. feelings3. perceptions4. mentalformation(dispositions)5. consciousnessThefiveaggregatesgiverisetotheillusionofself.Theselfbecomesthehubofdesires.

ExtinguishingtheFlame

❀ nolongerconsumedbydesires(nolongeraconsumer)❀ nodiscontent❀ noresentment❀ noanxiety❀ thecessationofmentaltorments

TheNobleEightfoldPath

TheNobleEightfoldPathisthemainvehicletoNirvana.1.right*view(understanding)2.rightthought(resolve,intention)3.rightspeech4.rightconduct(action)5.rightlivelihood6.righteffort7.rightmindfulness8.rightmeditation(concentration)

*Sammā—apt,appropriate

TheMiddleWay

❀ TheNobleEightfoldPathisalsocalledtheMiddlePath.ItistheBuddhistwayoflife.

❀ avoidextremesinlife:noself-indulgenceandnoself-mortification❀ TheMiddleWayhelpsthemindtobebalancedtoachieveenlightenment.

RightView

❀ theunderstandingoftheFourNobleTruths❀ seeingrealityasittrulyis(interbeing,theVoidandnoself)❀ notgotfencedinbywordsandconcepts;notbeingtrappedinaparticularpointofviewormindset

RightThought

❀ thethoughtofbeingpresent,beingmindful❀ thethoughtofahimsa

❀ thethoughtofno-ill-will❀ thethoughtofharmlessness

❀ thethoughtofrenunciation

RightSpeech

❀ bemindfulofyourmotivetospeak❀ speakattherighttime,truthfully❀ speakwhatisuseful❀ refrainingfrom

lyingslandergossipharshspeechfrivolousspeech

RightConduct

❀ actionswithoutintention,unwilledactions❀ actionsunhinderedbyrules❀ toactlikeafallingleaf(SteveHagen,p.91)❀ selflessactions(SteveHagen,p.91)❀ refrainingfrom

takinglifestealing—takingmorethanwhatoneneedswhenothersareinneed

sexualmisconduct

RightLivelihood

❀ Inmakingalivingthroughaprofession,oneshouldchooseone’scareercarefullysothatone

doesnotharmoneselfandothers;canavoidunwholesomeplacesandsituations;canbecomemoreandmorevirtuous.

RightEffort

❀ developandmaintainlovingkindnessinone’sheart❀ ariseandmaintainwholesomementalstates❀ preventunwholesomementalstates

RightMindfulness

❀ beawareofwhatisgoingonatthemoment❀ abidecontemplatingthingsastheyare❀ nomisunderstanding,nodistortion❀ subsidingofcraving❀ leadstomoderationandeventuallyfreedomfromdesires❀ openupfornewexperiences❀ realizeimpermanence❀ appreciatefullybothjoyandsorrow❀ nourishesgoodwillandcompassion

RightMeditation

❀ detachedfromsense-desiresandunwholesomementalstates❀ subsidingofthinkingandpondering❀ fadingawayofdelight,achievingcalmnessandevenness❀ disappearanceofgladnessandsadness,beyondpleasureandpain