The Four Noble Truths of Human Life are a set of universal principles that govern human behavior and health. Each of the four principles describes a different path to health and happiness. The first principle acknowledges the presence of suffering and states that there are reasons for this. The second principle says that suffering cannot be eliminated but can be minimized. The third principle asserts that there is a way to achieve freedom from suffering, which is the key to happiness and well-being. The fourth principle describes a way to achieve health and happiness through the process of becoming a conscious, compassionate individual.
Suffering
The first of the Four Noble Truths of human life is the existence of suffering. This pain is rooted in the desire to attain bodily and mental pleasures. Other causes of suffering include the desire to attain higher forms of existence or eternal life. Suffering is the result of not being able to obtain what you want. The Buddha also taught that all suffering is a result of craving, and we must not allow it to control our lives.
The cause of suffering is the accumulation of causes and conditions. The cause and conditions are interdependent and inevitably result in repercussions. The subtler the cause, the closer to the cause the suffering is. The four Noble Truths are interrelated. While the Four Noble Truths can be understood in isolation, they relate to each other. For example, suffering is related to the seven sense faculties and the five-fold link.
Change
One of the most fundamental Buddhist principles is change. It demonstrates that the world we live in is in constant flux. Our homes and machines will age and need repair, and we will never achieve the state of perfection we crave. Nevertheless, we can make the choice to stop suffering, and change is one of the Four Noble Truths of human life. To recognize these principles and embrace them, we must first recognize the existence of suffering.
The first Noble Truth reveals the existence of suffering. The Buddha explained that suffering can be viewed in three different aspects: as the suffering of the self, as the suffering of others, and as the pervasive suffering of the five skandhas. The third Noble Truth describes the path to freeing ourselves from suffering, and in doing so, finding more health and happiness. The Fourth Noble Truth is the journey from suffering to greater health, happiness, and well-being.
Loss
The First Noble Truth is that we are all bound to suffer in this life. The Second Noble Truth explains that all suffering is caused by our attachment to impermanent things. When we become free of this attachment, we will experience freedom from suffering. The Fourth Noble Truth describes the path to liberation, health, and happiness. It is a very powerful concept that should help us better understand our own lives and those of others.
The Truth of Suffering states that suffering is a natural part of life. The Buddha defined human nature as a five-fold process: physical body, sensations, feelings, cognitions, and character traits and dispositions. The Buddha then suggested that our suffering began with our physical experiences. Until this realization was fully realized, human suffering in general would continue. Loss is an important aspect of human life.
Cessation
The four noble truths are the foundational teachings of Buddhism. The Buddha first presented these principles in his first sermon. They are said to be as simple as the footprint of an elephant encompassing all footed beings on the earth. Even though the teachings became less important, the four noble truths remained a central part of Buddha’s early teachings. Today, the four noble truths are still taught throughout Buddhism.
The first Noble Truth teaches that suffering occurs because of our cravings. The third truth teaches that once craving is gone, suffering ceases. There are two kinds of nirvana – during life and at death. The Buddha achieved nirvana during his life by sitting under a tree at age 35. At the end of his life, he passed into the final nirvana.