four truths of Buddhism
The famous four truths of Buddhism are named noble for the reason that they liberate the Buddhists from suffering. The four truths are the primary teachings of Buddha, summarizing the entire Buddhist path. However, these teachings leave much unexplained, they are efficiently applicable to Buddhism as a whole religion. In other words, they are contingency strategy of dealing with future uncertainties, particularly concerning human suffering. They include the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the way that leads to the end of suffering.
The truth of suffering reminds humans that life always ideal. As such, the truth is a reminder that in life, there are failures in every attempt we make. This truth also tells us that the suffering we encounter in life is either subtle or obvious. According to Buddha, we feel good, at times, we experience an undercurrent of uncertainty and anxiety within us. Buddha acknowledges the three apparent kinds of suffering as corresponding to his first three sights while he was on his first journey outside his palace: death, sickness and old age. However, Buddha associates the problem of suffering to be way deeper. Life is never consistent as far as living up to our expectations is concerned. Buddha, through this truth, says that we are prone to cravings and desires, which even if we are in a position to satisfy them, satisfaction always remain temporary. In other words, the truth reminds human beings that every pleasure is temporary or if by chance it lasts, we will get fed up with it. Buddha says that humans can also be in a good state where they are not suffering, but they are not satisfied.
The truth of the cause of suffering (Samudāya), according to Buddha, is associated with our worries. Buddha says that the desires we have or develop almost on our daily activities cause us a lot of pain in the end. The causes are described as the Three of Evil, the Three of Poisons and the Three of Fires. However, our suffering is as a result of the beliefs we subscribe to and thinking of ourselves as independent and separate. In short, our ego (samsara) is putting us through the pain.
The truth of the end of suffering. This comes as part of the good news informing the people that our tribulations are temporary. Buddha compares any suffering to a passing cloud that only obstructs the light from our enlightened nature, but the light is always present. Buddhist belief that suffering always has to end as a result of the withdrawal of our obscuration.
The truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering teaches the Buddhists that whenever they live ethically, practice meditation, and be wise, they can attain enlightenment and liberty from suffering they always encounter.
Nevertheless, the four noble truths support the view of Buddhism as far as the religion majors on human suffering and less emphasis on discipleship. The philosophy of religion mainly seeks to reconcile humans with the nature of life. In general, Buddhism is in line with Hindu, the mail religion, since it works towards attaching human beings to value the destiny of their lives while reconciling them with the present or somewhat daily experiences of life.