Four Noble Truths

Having laid the foundation for countless Buddhist teachings, such as the Four Noble Truths, rebirth and suffering, the principle of dependent arising has been perceived to be one of the core philosophies. Thera (2008, 3) highlights the words of the Buddha that, “Deep, indeed, Ānanda, is this paṭicca-samuppāda, and deep does it appear. It is through not understanding, through not penetrating this doctrine, that these beings have become entangled like a matted ball of thread, become like muñja grass and rushes, unable to pass beyond the woeful states of existence and saṃsāra, the cycle of existence.” This reveals how a simple exposition of dependent arising poses impacts to our life paths tremendously. In light of the profundity and significance associated with the Buddhist teaching, the essay first discusses the core concepts of dependent arising, the way how the principle pertains to other philosophies, as well as its application on suffering. In the second part of the essay, several contradictions with other beliefs and philsophies,

In the context of the Four Noble Truths, four major ideas, which can be further categorized into two groups, are included: (1) Dukkha, suffering and the origin of dukkha, (2) the cessation of dukkha, and how dukkha can be ceased (Thera 2008, 5). The fact that the principle of causality, proposed in the concepts of dependent arising, can be applicable to the Four Noble Truths, comes into light. Dukkha is the effect of the origin of dukkha whereas the cessation of dukkha is brought about the ways of ending dukkha. This echoes the principle of dependent arising that the existence and cessation of every matter ascribe to multiple causes and conditions. It is thus proposed that the two Buddhist teachings are governed mutually by the law of cause and