The Four Noble Truths
The Suffering
The Origin of Suffering
The Cessation of Suffering
The Path of the Cessation of Suffering
The Suffering
Suffering manifests on gross levels such as physical and emotional pain arising from meeting with unwanted circumstances, not meeting with desired circumstances etc.
On a more subtle level, suffering manifests as "the suffering of suffering"
The Origin of Suffering
The "conditioned existence" of the individual discuss in the chapter on cyclic existence holds the seeds of suffering whereby latent dispositions towards attachment, aversion are activated by ignorance "as if it were its job" and continue the cycle of negative repercussions
The Cessation of Suffering
Ultimately comes with the complete extinction of the ties that bind our consciousness to a samsaric mode of existence – "Nirvana" – a cooling. Relatively, comes through the understanding of the operation of karma and the ultimate identity-less-ness of all observable phenomena – thereby severing the operation
of ignorance, attachment and greed at its route. However, the determination to free from suffering must apply equally to all beings in which it arises due to the realisation of identilessness, and specifically to rise as an enlightened one dedicated to removing the suffering of all.
The Path of Cessation of Suffering
The development of the realization of wisdom-consciousness and the merit required to achieve the enlightened state – Buddhahood – is oceanic – for that
reason the Buddha set out a path up the steep mountainside of enlightenment.
As mentioned previously, the different methods of applying this oceanic-like wisdom, relate to the different approaches taken by the various schools of Buddhism, and also the teachings of other monumental enlightened beings in all ages and places.
Return to Contents Page
Back Proceed