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The Four Noble Truths are the foundation of the Buddha’s teaching—both the diagnosis and the path to liberation. They articulate a radical view of human experience: that suffering (dukkha) is not incidental but inherent to conditioned life; that it has causes; that it can end; and that there is a clear, lived path to its cessation.
These truths are not abstract beliefs but experiential insights to be explored in meditation, daily life, and ethical conduct. Together, they outline a path of awakening rooted in direct seeing rather than blind faith. The Buddha often said he taught only suffering and its end—a statement that reveals the full scope and compassion of the Dhamma.
Lion’s Roar What Are the Four Noble Truths? | Buddhism A–Z
Spirit Rock Meditation Center The Four Noble Truths
Plum Village App The Four Noble Truths | Thich Nhat Hanh (short teaching video)
Key Points
- Dukkha: All conditioned experience is marked by suffering, stress, or unsatisfactoriness.
- Samudaya: Suffering arises due to craving (taṇhā), clinging, and ignorance.
- Nirodha: The end of suffering is possible through the fading and cessation of craving.
- Magga: The Noble Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering.
- These truths are to be understood, abandoned, realized, and cultivated, not merely believed.
Articles and Resources on This Site
A beginner-friendly introduction to Buddhism. This essay offers a clear, exploration of what Buddhism is—and what it isn’t—through the life of the Buddha, the Four Noble Truths, and the path of practice. No jargon, no mysticism—just a human invitation to clarity, freedom, and direct experience.
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