The Four Noble Truths of Buddhism

 

COMMENT: At the heart of the Buddha’s teaching is the path of moderation leading, through one’s own actions, to enlightenment. What one does, not what one believes, is important. The Buddha came to an understanding of the nature of existence and developed a core of behavior for us to practice in order to perceive reality clearly and find equanimity through detachment. The Buddha is quoted to have said "Let not your gaze be too distant nor too near; see things as they are and be consoled."

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I. Life is filled with suffering due to our desires to want things to be different.

 

II. Self-centered craving causes the of suffering of imbalance.

 

III. In order to bring an end to suffering one must bring an end to self-centered craving.

 

IV. The way to cease craving is to follow the Eight Fold Path.

1. Right View

See things as they truly are without delusions or distortions for all things change. Develop wisdom by knowing how things work, knowing oneself and others.

2. Right Intention

Wholehearted resolution and dedication to overcoming the dislocation of self-centered craving through the development of loving kindness, empathy and compassion.

3. Right Speech

Abstinence from lies and deceptions, backbiting, idle babble and abusive speech. Cultivate honesty and truthfulness; practice speech that is kind and benevolent. Let your words reflect your desire to help, not harm others.

4.Right Action

Practice self-less conduct that reflects the highest statement of the life you want to live. Express conduct that is peaceful, honest and pure showing compassion for all beings.

5. Right Livelihood

Avoidance of work that causes suffering to others or that makes a decent, virtuous life impossible. Do not engage in any occupation that opposes or distracts one from the path. Love and serve our world through your work.

6. Right Effort

Seek to make the balance between the exertion of following the spiritual path and a moderate life that is not over-zealous. Work to develop more wholesome mind states, while gently striving to go deeper and live more fully.

7. Right Mindfulness

Through constant vigilance in thought, speech and action seek to rid the mind of self-centered thoughts that separate and replace them with those that bind all beings together. Be aware of your thoughts, emotions, body and world as they exist in the present moment. Your thoughts create your reality.

8. Right Concentration

Through the application of meditation and mental discipline seek to extinguish the last flame of grasping consciousness and develop an emptiness that has room to embrace and love all things.

 

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