The Importance Of The Four Noble Truths

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After the development of the Buddhist co-culture, many Americans showed an interest in learning about this foreign religion. Buddhism is quite different from most popular western religions. Its followers hold unique beliefs and values that directly contrast those of other religions. For example, Buddhists don’t believe in a god or that any higher being has influence on their lives. Also, they do not believe in prayer and sacrifice or the existence of a human soul (Samovar et al., 2010). However, all Buddhists, including American Buddhists, accept the teachings of the Buddha and let his insights and wisdom guide their lives. The most central beliefs of the religion come from these teachings; they are called the Four Noble Truths. One of the
He provided his followers with wisdom and insights that showed them the proper direction to take in life. These directions come in the form of the Four Noble Truths. These truths reveal to Buddhists that life is full of suffering, the causes of said suffering, how to end suffering, and how one should conduct their life to achieve the ultimate enlightened state. The first of the Four Noble Truth states that suffering is inevitable because life is inadequate and unsatisfactory (Samovar et al., 2010). The objective of this truth is to promote a realistic view of the world and the human condition. The second truth explains the causes of suffering and explains how they are different for each individual person. The causes of suffering include cravings, self-desire, anger, envy, greed, etc. (Samovar et al., 2010).The Buddha’s teachings encourage his followers to see the world around them for what it is and not to mistake falsehoods as truth. The third truth informs Buddhists that because their suffering as an identifiable cause, it also has a solution (Samovar et al., 2010). The Buddha said that once someone is no longer consumed by their desires and negative emotions, then their sufferings will end. To do this Buddhists must clearly see the truth and become the masters of their own lives. The final truth details the path one must follow to end their suffering and achieve nirvana (Samovar et
The first category, wisdom, included the first two steps on the path right view and right purpose. Right view is seeing reality as it truly is, imperfect and impermanent (Samovar et al., 2010). One must also understand the origins of suffering and what thoughts and actions lead to suffering. The second step, right purpose, is being free from any unwholesome thoughts towards the self or others and developing an attitude of loving-kindness and compassion (Samovar et al., 2010). The second category, ethical conduct, contains the next three steps; right speech, right action, and right livelihood. Right speech teaches to speak in a truthful and considerate manner, never lie or be dishonest, and only speak only when necessary or important (Samovar et al., 2010). The forth step is right action which promotes moral, honorable, and peaceful behavior and deters from the taking of life, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and drinking intoxicant (Samovar et al., 2010). Right livelihood is the last step in the ethical conduct category, it encouragement Buddhists to abstain from occupations that harm living beings (Samovar et al., 2010). This step applies to all living beings including people and animals; this is why vegetarianism is common amongst Buddhists. The last category of the

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