วันพุธที่ 13 พฤศจิกายน พ.ศ. 2556

Basic with Four Noble Truths


The heart of the Buddha’s teaching live in the Four Noble Truths (Cattāri Ariyasaccāni) of early Buddhism which he taught in his first sermon to his old companions, the five ascetics, at Isipatana- Deer Park (modern Sarnath) near Benares. In this sermon, as we have it in the original texts, these four Truths are given briefly. They are:
1.     Dukkha sacca XE "Dukkha sacca" :  the truth of Suffering
2.     Samudaya sacca XE "Samudaya sacca" : the truth of the Cause of Suffering
3.     Nirodha sacca XE "Nirodha sacca" : the truth of the Cessation of Suffering
4.     Magga sacca XE "Magga sacca" : the truth of the Path leading to the cessation of Suffering
 But there are innumerable places in the early Buddhist scriptures where they are explained again and again, which greater detail and in different ways.

1.1 The First Noble Truth: Dukkha sacca- the truth of Suffering XE "- the truth of Suffering"

The Buddha’s discovery of the solution to the problem of suffering began with the recognition that life is suffering. This is the first of the Four Noble Truths. If people examine their own experiences or look at the world around them, they will see that life is full of suffering or unhappiness. Suffering may be physical or mental. The sufferings are divided into three types namely:-
Physical suffering takes many forms. People must have observed at one time or another, how their aged relatives suffer. Most of them suffer aches and pains in their joints and many find it hard to move about by themselves. With advancing age, the elderly find life difficult because they cannot see, hear or eat properly. The pain of disease, which strikes young and old alike, can be unbearable. The pain of death brings much suffering. Even the moment of birth gives pain, both to the mother and the child who is born. The truth is that the suffering of birth, old age, sickness and death are unavoidable. Some fortunate people may now be enjoying happy and carefree lives, but it is only a matter of time before they too will experience suffering. What is worse, nobody else can share this suffering with the one that suffers. For example, a man may be very concerned that his mother is growing old. Yet he cannot take her place and suffer the pains of aging on her behalf. Also, if a boy falls very ill, his mother cannot experience the discomfort of his illness for him. Finally, neither mother nor son can help each other when the moment of death comes.
Besides physical suffering, there are also various forms of mental suffering. People feel sad, lonely or depressed when they lose someone they love through separation or death. They become irritated or uncomfortable when they are forced to be in the company of those whom they dislike or those who are unpleasant. People also suffer when they are unable to satisfy their needs and wants. Teenagers, for example, feel frustrated and angry if their parents refuse to let them go to a late-night party or spend large sums of money on expensive fashionable clothing or toys. Adults, on the other hand, may be unhappy if they are unable to gain wealth, power or fame.

          Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods or famine, can cause a lot of suffering to people. People also have to face hardship caused by war and social injustice. Problems can happen even in the classroom. When you try to study, and yet the room is too noisy or your friends try to disturb you, you may feel unhappy or angry. Sometimes, problems may happen to you personally. When you do not pass an exam, this would make you feel unhappy or disappointed. These problems are unwanted. People try their best to avoid them and to be free from them. The following is the example of one who suffers.

1.2 The Second Noble Truth: Samudaya sacca- the truth of the Cause of Suffering XE "the truth of the Cause of Suffering"  

          The cause of suffering is desire based on greed and selfishness. The Buddha saw that the cause of suffering is selfish desire and greed. People want all kinds of things and want to keep them forever. However, greed is endless, like a bottomless pit that can never be filled. The more you want, the more unhappy life is. Thus, our limitless wants and desires are the cause of our suffering. Many children who have had a taste for chocolate will keep asking for more. When they do not get it, they will feel upset or even angry. Although they know that eating too much chocolate may cause them to have a bad stomach or toothache, they still want more. The things we want most can cause us the most suffering. The following is the example of the cause of suffering.

1.3 The Third Noble Truth: Nirodha sacca- the truth of the cessation  of Suffering XE "the truth of the cessation of Suffering"

To end suffering, selfish desire must be removed. Just as a fire dies when no fuel is added, so unhappiness will end when the fuel of selfish desire is removed. When selfish desire is completely removed, there will be no more suffering. Our mind will be in a state of perfect peace. We shall be happy always. Buddhists call the state in which all suffering is ended Nirvana. It is an everlasting state of great joy and peace. It is the greatest happiness in life. The following is the example of the cessation of suffering.
1.3.2 A Happy Monk XE "A Happy Monk"  
There was once a man of wealth and high position who realized that suffering was the same for rich and poor alike. So he became a monk to practise meditation in order to develop his mind. Soon, this old monk had a following of 500 monks. One of these monks always wore a smile, unlike the others who usually looked serious. The old monk was the only one who knew his source of happiness, and this happy monk was soon made his chief assistant. A year later, while they were spending the rainy season in the royal garden at the king’s invitation, the old monk was asked to stay in residence at the palace. The happy monk became the new leader of the group. One day, this happy monk went to pay the old monk a visit at the palace. All he would stay to the old monk on seeing him was,
What happiness! What happiness!”
The king, who happened to visit the old monk at that time, felt insulted when he was not greeted by this happy monk, who was not even aware of the king’s entrance. Seeing the king’s displeasure, the old monk said to him: “Have patience, my king, and I will tell you the source of this monks happiness. Not many people know of it. He was once a king like you. But having given up his kingly life for that of a monk, he had found his present joy! Sitting alone in the forest, he had nothing to fear and no need for armed guards to surround him. Free from the worry over wealth and power, his wisdom now protects himself and others. He has found such inner peace in meditation that he cannot help saying: What happiness! What happiness!” The king finally understood what was true happiness. He honoured the two monks before returning to his palace.

1.4 The Fourth Noble Truth: Magga sacca: the truth of the Path leading to the cessation of Suffering XE "the truth of the Path leading to the cessation of Suffering"

           The Path leading to the end of suffering or the way to end suffering is to follow the ‘Noble Eightfold Path’
1. Right Understanding means to have a correct understanding of oneself and the world. Although we may have our own view of the world, it may not always be right. If we understand things as they really are, we would be able to live a happier and more meaningful life.
2. Right Thought means to think in the right way. Those who harbour thoughts of greed and anger will easily get into trouble. But if we think correctly, we would end up doing the right things.
3. Right Speech means to avoid lying, tale telling, gossiping, backbiting, idle talk and harsh words. Harsh words can wound more deeply than weapons, while gentle words can change the heart of a hardened criminal. This shows the effect on others in the way we speak. The Buddha said,
Pleasant speech is as sweet as honey; truthful speech is beautiful like a flower; and wrong speech is unwholesome like filth.”
Therefore, we should speak words that are truthful, meaningful and with good will.
4. Right Action means not to harm or destroy any life, not to steal and not to use sex in a harmful way.
5. Right Livelihood means not to live on work that would in any way bring harm to living beings. Buddhists are discouraged from engaging in the following five kinds of livelihood: trading people, weapons, animals for slaughter, intoxicating drinks and drugs. The Buddha said,
Do not earn your living by harming others. Do not seek happiness by making others unhappy.”
6. Right Effort means to do our best to become a better person. Examples of this are to work hard at school and to drop bad habits such as laziness, quick temper, smoking and drugs.
7. Right Mindfulness means to be always aware and attentive. We should always be aware of what we think, say and do. We must concentrate on everything we do before we can do it well. For instance, if we concentrate in class, we would not miss anything the teacher says.
8. Right Meditation means to keep the mind steady and calm in order to see clearly the true nature of things. This type of mental practice can make us become more understanding and a happier person. The Noble Eightfold Path can help us prevent problems or deal with any problems we may come across in our daily life. If we follow it, we are on the way to less suffering and more happiness. The following is the example of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.