Buddish

1. What are the Four Noble Truths? Briefly explain each.

The four noble trusts are suffering, the origin of suffering ,the cessation of suffering and the path.

a. Suffering. There is basic suffering that comes with the impermanence of all things and relationships: losing what one has is inevitable.

b. The Origin of Suffering. Ordinarily, all beings cling to a limited notion of self, our “ego.” The ego depends on what we become attached to: our physical body, relationships with others, our home, the many things we possess, and most importantly our ideas. This attachment (grasping and fixation) is the origin of suffering. This attachment brings about the desire, hatred, and ignorance that comprise further suffering. Thus, clinging to attachments is the origin of all suffering.

i. Does the ego truly exist?

ii. The ego (the sum of all our attachments) appears to exist. But for something to truly exist from a Buddhist point of view it would have to be permanent, singular, and independent. Otherwise it is impermanent, compound (assembled from parts) and interdependent with other appearances.

iii. From the Buddhist point of view the ego is an illusion; it does not truly exist. The ego is like a dream we need to wake up from. The ego only appears to exist, just like the experience in a dream.

iv. If we let go of attachments we begin to let go of our ego and illusions.

c. The Cessation of Suffering.

i. Nirvana, which is the cessation of individual suffering, is possible. It is possible to see through the illusions of ego. (Quote: Buddha, pgs. 6-7)

ii. The term “nirvana” means the cessation of suffering, peace without struggle. (Later we will see that complete Enlightenment is even greater than nirvana.)

d. The Path: The Path is the way to achieve the cessation of suffering. The Buddha presented the path in its most simplified form in three aspects:

i. The View: holding the attitude and considering all things to be impermanent, compounded and...