Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Conclusion of four noble truths of buddhism
The four noble truths essay
A short note on Buddha's second noble truth
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Conclusion of four noble truths of buddhism
Q2. Outline and discuss the four noble truths: is the Buddhist view of existence optimistic or pessimistic?
The question of the Buddhist view of existence being optimistic or pessimistic is one which is many have an opinion on. It could be said that the four noble truths provide the views of the Buddha in the way that life is led and more importantly, should be led. Certainly, the end goal is clearly optimistic, the attainment of spiritual enlightenment, or nirvana. However, the Buddhist view of life as we lead it is often deemed pessimistic as it is so concerned with suffering. As there is more than one school of thought to, “is the Buddhist view of existence of optimistic or pessimistic?” our understanding of these truths is crucial to the answer.
The first noble truth is the full understanding of suffering. In an obvious way, people are aware of suffering and know when they have unpleasant sensations such as hunger, cold, or sickness. However, the first noble truth includes “awareness of all the ramifications of suffering because it encompasses the very nature and essence of suffering” (Gethin, 1998). This includes knowledge of the subtle as well as the obvious aspects of suffering.
The obvious aspect of suffering is immediate pain or difficulty in the moment. Subtle suffering is more difficult to understand because it begins with happiness. In that respect it might be considered a “pessimistic” view that happiness leads to suffering. However, it is a fundamental Buddhist belief that the “very nature of happiness must change because it is impermanent.” (Gethin, 1998). To non- – Buddhists situations that might give one greatest happiness may be those which are the most actively desired and pursued e.g. love marriage and children. However, the need to maintain this happiness makes the happiness itself a suffering in Buddhist terms.
If a sufferer is not aware of his suffering, s/he will never have the motivation to eliminate it and will continue to suffer. On the other hand if one becomes aware of suffering, one may be able to overcome it. In the same sense with the more subtle forms of suffering, if a person is happy and becomes aware and accepts that the happiness automatically includes the seed of suffering, then s/he will be much less inclined to become involved in the attachment to this happiness. One will then think. And so the first truth is that ...
... middle of paper ...
...sting in contrast to worldly happiness which is exciting for a time, but then changes. In contrast, this ultimate liberation and omniscience is a definitive release from the defilement which is the cause of suffering. Their cessation is the most deeply moving peace. Within that peace all the powers of liberation and wisdom are developed. It is a very definitive release from both suffering and its result and four main qualities of this truth of cessation. First, it is the cessation of suffering. Second, it is peace. Third, it is the deepest liberation and wisdom. Fourth, it is a very definitive release. Cessation is a product of practising the path shown to us by the Most Perfect One, the Lord Buddha. The actual nature of that path is the topic of the fourth noble truth, which is called the truth of the path because it describes the path that leads to liberation.
7211, essay two Bibliography.
Cush, D, (1994), Buddhism, Hodder and Staughton,
Gethin, R, (1998), The Foundations of Buddhism, Oxford University Press, (pp. 74 –96)
Sumedha, Ajahn, (2001), The Four Noble Truths, www.buddhanet.net
Francesconni, (2001), The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, www.dharmawest.com
Buddhism’s approach to ethics and practices are centred upon the principal beliefs of; the Four Noble Truths, the Noble Eightfold Path and the Five Precepts. By adhering to these guidelines, Buddhists are ensured that they are taking a step closer to escaping Samsara, and attaining the revered state of Nirvana,
of suffering is most beneficial. However, answering this question about suffering becomes increasingly more difficult with the
In order to understand the concepts of the Four Noble Truths, one needs to understand the aim of Buddhist practice. “The aim of Buddhist practice is to cure craving, the desire conditioned by ignorance that leads to suffering” (Demoss 1).2 Buddhism advocates meditation, and a “…goal of Buddhist meditation is to produce right mindfulness, an alert awareness of what is happening in body, mind, and world at the present moment” (Demoss 318).3 “Traditionally, ‘right action’ is defined in Buddhist ethics by the five percepts: do not kill, do not steal, do not engage in illicit sex, do not lie, and do not become intoxicated” (Demoss 319).4 “According to Buddhism a person does not have an intrinsic permanent changeless identity. There is no core self. The self is empty” (Demoss 1).5 The Four Noble Truths provide a conceptual framework for all Buddhist thought. According to the Four Noble Truths, craving leads to suffering, but craving can cease if one cultivates a path of mental discipline, wisdom, and moral conduct (Demoss 309).6 An understanding of Buddhism is...
Buddhist teachings focus on the idea that letting go of attachment and accepting the four noble truths will provide everlasting happiness: Nirvana. Nihilism, as argued by William T. Stace, focuses on truth’s opposition to happiness. Truth does not equal happiness; nonetheless, truth does not stand as happiness’ adversary either. Understanding the truth of the universe allows one to finds peace within themselves, as the illusions of attachment lead to suffering.
to state suffering as the entirety of the first noble truth, is not enough because the expression of
There is a old time saying that “you will never know what true happiness feels like until you have felt pain”. In order to reach where you are going in life you have to go through hardship and pain to find your inner contentment. Often times,people who have too much in life always takes it for granted ,because all they have is pleasure and not knowing the feelings of pain and being without. Martha C. Nussbaum author of “who is the happy warrior” states that you have to go through pain to find the true meaning of happiness while Daniel M.Haybron author of “Happiness and Its Discontents” states that pain doesn 't bring happiness,happiness is just a thing you feel when you think you may have enough. To find happiness you have to go through the unbearable process of life.
The person has to be open to learning from their suffering in order to grow as a person in today’s society. Without suffering, we would be stuck within ourselves. Suffering allows us to break through our concept of reality and understand the world around
Suffering can also come of profound happiness within, and it can also give us a greater appreciation of the moments of comfort. The term suffering should be seen in a more positive perspective. Many people have
Each day should be lived by moving on and accepting the next obstacle, while still appreciating the fortunate past and enjoying the immediate presence. Without recognition of pain and sorrow, there is no initiation for a solution. According to Buddha, one must accept suffering and live based on the laws of the Eightfold Path in order to achieve salvation. Because of the Four Noble Truths, people have been given a structural opportunity of hope that there is reason to live our lives to the fullest.
The First Noble Truth is suffering or dukkha. This includes physical, emotional and mental forms of suffering but can also be interpreted more widely as a feeling of dissatisfaction'. (Hanh 43)
5. The question of destiny. Buddhism does not believe in fate or destiny. The believe that anyone who believes in fate will not have a happy life and anyone who does not believe in fate will have ahappy life.
For Buddhists, regardless their country, Nirvana is the ultimate objective they want to reach. It is characterized by the end of suffering and so, the achievement of complete peace. It is also associated with the freedom for desire, hatred and delusion, which are the three unwholesome roots. After this liberation, the cycle of rebirth is over and this, since the beginning of the religion until now. I will argue that Nirvana is the ultimate end for a Buddhist. To support this idea, I will mention the beginning of a timeless existence, the final closure of the cycle of life, the end of suffering and the closing of the imagination structure.
Ultimate Reality from a Buddhist perspective has been identified as a continuous life in peace and spirit without an end or a
Suffering can be defined as an experience of discomfort suffered by a person during his life. The New York Times published an article entitled what suffering does, by David Brooks (2014). In this article, Brooks explains how suffering plays an important role in our pursuit of happiness. He explains firstly that happiness is found through experiences and then, suffering can also be a motivation in our pursuit of happiness. In other words, suffering is a fearful but necessary gift to acquire happiness. This paper is related to motivation and emotion, two keys words to the pursuit of happiness (King, 2010).
Buddhism is one of the major world religions with many followers around the world. It is unique in its nature as it is frequently referred to as a ‘spiritual tradition’ (Miller, 2010). Buddhism focuses on personal spiritual development and the attainment of a deep insight into the true nature of life (Johnston, 2003). Buddhists believe that nothing is fixed or permanent and that change is always possible. This belief in the impermanence of all things underpins the Buddhist interpretation of the world and reality (Maguire, 2001).