Four Noble Truths (Catu Ārya Satya) -rt'cfo{ ;To_

After enlightenment, the Buddha turned the First Wheel of Dharma by preaching to the five
monks in Deer Park at Sārnāth -;f/gfy_. His first teachings mainly deal with the Four Noble
Truths. It is regarded as the heart of Buddha's teachings. The Four Noble Truths are:

1. Truth of Suffering (Dukha Satya) -b'vM ;To_

l) Truth of Suffering
It is to understand that there is suffering in the world when there is (i) Birth (ii) Old-age
(iii) Illness (iv) Death (v) Sorrow, lamentation, grief and despair (vi) Living with disliked ones
(vii) Separation from beloved ones (viii) Not getting what is wanted. In brief, the Five
Aggregates (Pancha Skandha) -k+r :sGw_- Form (Rupa) -?k_, Feeling (Vedanā) -j]bgf_,
Perception (Sańjnā) -;+1f_, Mental states (Sańskāra) -;+:sf/_ and Consciousness (Vijnāna) -
lj1fg_ are suffering.

2) Truth of Cause of Suffering

It is to understand that there is a cause of suffering called craving (Tṛṣṇā) -t[i0ff_. It is

1. Craving for Pleasure (Kāma Tṛṣṇā) -sfd t[i0ff_: This is the craving to get sensual objects
which involve sight, sound, touch, taste, smell and mental perspectives that please us.

2. Craving for Existence (Bhava Tṛṣṇā) -ej t[i0ff_: This is the craving for eternal life or
existence. It is the desire to be born again and again.

3. Craving for Non-Existence (Bibhava Tṛṣṇā) -ljej t[i0ff_: This is the craving not willing to
accept the situation as it is. It is the desire to end our lives forever.

3) Truth of Cessation of Suffering

It is to understand that the three cravings are the causes of suffering which are to be
eradicated. The elimination of the cause (craving) eliminates the result (suffering). The end of
suffering is the attainment of Nirvāṇa -lgjf{0f_.
4) Truth of Path Leading to Cessation of Suffering
 It is to understand the path that leads to the cessation of suffering. The path is known as
the Noble Eightfold Path (Ārya Aṣtāǹgika Mārga) -cfo{ ci6fl¨s dfu{_. The Eightfold Path is also
called the Middle Way. It avoids both indulgence and severe asceticism. The Buddha described
the Noble Eightfold Path as a means to enlightenment, like a raft for crossing a river. The Noble
Eightfold Path consists of the following eight practices.

1. Right Understanding (Samyak Dṛṣti) -;Dos b[li6_

2. Right Thought (Samyak Saǹkalpa) -;Dos ;+sNk_

3. Right Speech (Samyak Vācā) -;Dos jfrf_

4. Right conduct (Samyak Karmānta) -;Dos sdf{Gt_

5. Right Livelihood (Samyak Ājiva) -;Dos cflhj_

6. Right Effort (Samyak Vyāyām) -;Dos Jofofd_

7. Right Mindfulness (Samyak Sati) -;Dos ;lt_

8. Right Concentration (Samyak Samādhi) -;Dos ;dflw_

Right Understanding means accepting the Four Noble Truths as the correct understanding
of human suffering. It helps to determine what is right and what is wrong to do. The Buddha
never intended his followers to believe his teachings blindly, but to practise them and judge for
themselves whether they were true or not.

2. Right Thought

Having understood what is right to do and what is wrong to do, a person should
consciously determine to follow a line of action which is commended by the wise. Right Thought
is a commitment to cultivate the right attitudes. The most commendable thoughts are the thought
of renunciation, the thought of getting rid of ill-will and the thought of not harming any beings.

The Right Understanding and the Right Thought are the two qualities of wisdom and
therefore they come under the category of wisdom (Prajna) -k|1f_.

3. Right Speech

The first line of action to be taken after making right determination is to refrain from
false speech and to speak the truth. One should also give up the practices of back-biting, use of
harsh words and habits of gossiping. Speeches should be pleasant and beneficial to the hearer.
Such acts bring harmony and unity in the society.

4. Right Conduct
 It is to refrain from acts of killing, stealing and committing sexual misconduct. Instead a
person should practise loving-kindness, generosity and treating opposite sexes properly. Right
Action is the action that brings harm to none.

5. Right Livelihood

A person should lead a proper life that is to adapt socially accepted profession. The
profession should neither harmful to oneself, nor to others, nor to both, but promoting good for
oneself, good for others and good for both the parties. A person should abstain in making a living
(i) dealing in human beings (ii) dealing in flesh (iii) dealing in intoxicating drinks (iv) dealing in
poisons (v) dealing in arms.

Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood constitute a moral life and come in the
moral exposition (Śila) -zLn_

6. Right Effort

This consists in making sincere efforts to give up evil habits and cultivate the good ones.
It, therefore, comprises of the following four constant efforts: (i) The effort to prevent the arising
of evil which has not arisen. (ii) The effort to eradicate that evil which has already accumulated.
(iii) The effort to induce good which has not yet arisen. (iv) The effort to cultivate that good
which is already present.

7. Right Mindfulness

This consists in one's having a constant vigil over the body, the feelings and the states
mind. Mindfulness is the key to success. Without the development of mindfulness a person
cannot progress in his life. Absent-mind and forgetfulness obstruct a person from progressing
towards achieving the desired goal. On the other hand, when a person is mindful, his memory
becomes sharp and powerful. He will be more aware and therefore goes ahead of others.

8. Right Concentration

After practising Right Mindfulness, one prepares himself for Right Concentration. The
stage consists of four gradual stages. The stage of Right Concentration begins with mind's effort
at one-pointedness (Ekāgratā) -Psfu|tf_ directed towards some wholesome object. In this state
a person becomes free from pleasure and pain. He arrives at a state of perfect mental purity and
equanimity.

The last three practices of Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration come
under the development of concentration (Samādhi). Thus, the Noble Eightfold Path in other
words consists of the three major teachings namely on Śila (Moral conduct), Samādhi (mind
development) and Prajnā (wisdom).