The Buddha spoke of Four Noble Truths. He said there is Duhkha, or suffering. There is Samudaya, or the cause of suffering. There is Nirodha, or the removal of the cause of suffering. There is Marg, or the path leading to the removal of the cause of suffering.
“Now, this O monks, is the noble truth of sorrow: from birth it begins; old age causes sorrow; sickness causes sorrow; death causes sorrow; contact with unpleasant things causes sorrow, separation from pleasant things causes sorrow and not getting what one wishes for also causes sorrow.
“Now, this O monks, is the noble truth about the origin of sorrow: sorrow arises from craving, which leads to rebirth and a thirst for sensual delights. Desire leads to the seeking of satisfaction now here, now there – that is to say, the craving for gratification of passions, or the craving for life, or the craving for success… this is the cause of sorrow.
“Now, this O monks, is the noble truth about the removal of sorrow: sorrow shall be gone when desire ceases and no passion remains.
“Now, this O monks, is the noble truth about the way which leads to the removal of sorrow: it is the noble Eight-fold Path.
“This is the path of moderation. It keeps clear of the two extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. This path is the noble Eight-fold Path of the right views , the right thoughts, the right speech, the right action, the right means of livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right contemplation.”
Courtesy: The Great Quest, Frontline, Volume 25 - Issue 22: Oct. 25-Nov. 07, 2008
“Now, this O monks, is the noble truth of sorrow: from birth it begins; old age causes sorrow; sickness causes sorrow; death causes sorrow; contact with unpleasant things causes sorrow, separation from pleasant things causes sorrow and not getting what one wishes for also causes sorrow.
“Now, this O monks, is the noble truth about the origin of sorrow: sorrow arises from craving, which leads to rebirth and a thirst for sensual delights. Desire leads to the seeking of satisfaction now here, now there – that is to say, the craving for gratification of passions, or the craving for life, or the craving for success… this is the cause of sorrow.
“Now, this O monks, is the noble truth about the removal of sorrow: sorrow shall be gone when desire ceases and no passion remains.
“Now, this O monks, is the noble truth about the way which leads to the removal of sorrow: it is the noble Eight-fold Path.
“This is the path of moderation. It keeps clear of the two extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. This path is the noble Eight-fold Path of the right views , the right thoughts, the right speech, the right action, the right means of livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right contemplation.”
Courtesy: The Great Quest, Frontline, Volume 25 - Issue 22: Oct. 25-Nov. 07, 2008
