Buddha and the Four Noble Truths
Dukkha, Rising of Dukkha, Nirvana and the Path Leading to Nirvana
This article provides an overview of the main concepts of Buddhism and their meanings.
Main Concepts of Buddhist Religion
The Four Noble Truths
- The Noble Truth of Dukkha - Dukkha means suffering, and Buddhists believe all life, metaphorically, is suffering. The material world, and one’s hope to attain permanence and individual self importance, is also linked to Dukkha.
- The Noble Truth of the Rising of Dukkha
- The Noble Truth of Nirvana - Nirvana means "enlightenment." When one reaches enlightenment, Dukkha ceases to be (as does the process of rebirth).
- The Noble Truth of the Path Leading to Nirvana
The Four Noble Truths encompass the basis for all Buddhist thought. They are heavily stressed in the Theravada or Hinayana school (one of the three Buddhist divisions), and are key to understanding the meaning of enlightenment. Buddhists do not believe in a permanent self identity - meaning liberation from the world (Nirvana), would result in a state of non-being. In order to reach this state, Buddhists concentrate on meditation to break the cycle of re-birth. By stopping the process of re-birth, one can obtain immortality through enlightenment.
Five Khandhas
- Rupa - matter or form
- Vedana - feeling
- Sanna - perceptions
- Samkhara -mental state
- Vinnana - conscious awareness
The Five Khandhas represent five traits that are not permanent. Wanting permanence leads to Dukkha (suffering).
The Triple Gem (Tiratana)
- The Buddha - "The Awakened One"
- The Dharma - "The Teaching"
- The Sangha - "The Awakened Community"
It is important not to confuse the term "Buddha" with "God." In the West, Buddha is mistakenly referred to as a god. While Buddhism does not deny the existence of any deities, it does not elaborate on a specific "supreme creator."
The term "Buddha" can also imply a teacher of Buddhism, or one in general who is currently seeking the path to enlightment. It is also commonly used to refer to statues and other pieces of art, but again - should not be confused with the concept of "God."
The Eight Fold - Path of Buddha
- Right View
- Right Attitude
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Awareness
- Right Samadhi (concentration)
By following the Eight Fold path, a Buddhist hopes to gain enlightenment through Nirvana. Through Nirvana, they will ultimately reach immortality. There are two types of Nirvana: sopahisesa (with remnant) and nirupadhisesa (without remnant). Sopahisesa refers to Nirvana in the living world, while nirupadhisesa refers to Nirvana after death.
The Five Precepts
- Abstain from killing living beings
- Abstain from taking which is not given
- Abstain from sexual misconduct
- Abstain from false speech
The Five Precepts are the basis for all Buddhist teaching. They are stressed, but not enforced. It is up to the individual, and only the individual alone, to decide whether or not to follow the precepts.
