Noble Truth Vs Buddhism Essay

Buddhism teaches that there are four noble truths about life: 1) suffering exists; 2) suffering has a cause; 3) suffering has an end; and 4) one can be released from suffering. The first noble truth states “to live is to suffer”. This means that all throughout life we will experience a form of suffering by the way of pain, anxiety, loss, anguish, or just daily life. The realization of suffering causes us to be realistic in our actions and hopeful in the thought that if we notice suffering, perhaps we can lessen it. The second noble truth states “suffering comes from desire”. This means that much of suffering comes from never being content or satisfied with what we have and always wanting more, sometimes things we cannot have. While some desire is natural such as for food and shelter, other forms of desire are subtler such as the need for respect and privacy, and still other forms of desire are mere wants such as for fun or for expensive clothes, furniture, and houses. Desire can

This means that much of life has to simply be accepted. When life is accepted as it is, suffering is eliminated or at least decreased. One only has power to change one’s self and one’s perceptions, viewpoints, and responses to experiences. A sense of satisfaction is found when one chooses to see life and accept life as it is because it brings inner peace, not mere happiness which can be fleeting. The fourth noble truth states “release from suffering is possible and can be attained by following the Noble Eightfold Path”. This is when one has reached nirvana or “inner peace”, also known as the “end of suffering”. The desires are said to be extinguished at this point and when one has reached this state, Buddhism recommends following the Noble Eightfold Path which is very practically the following: right understanding, right intention, right speech, right action, right work, right effort, right meditation, and right