Dharma means Truth.The basis of the Buddha Dharma or the
Buddha's teachings are the Four Noble Truths:
1. The Truth of Suffering
2. The Truth of the Cause of Suffering
3. The Truth of the End of Suffering
4. The Truth of the Path leading to the End of Suffering
When we get sick, we go to a doctor. A good doctor first finds
out what illness we have. Next he decides what has caused it. Then he decides
what the cure is. Finally, he gives the medicine that will make us well again.
In the same way, the Buddha showed that there is suffering
in the world. He explained the cause of this suffering. He taught that this
suffering could be ended. Finally, he showed the way leading to the end of
suffering.
Look at the table to see the connection between a doctor and
the Buddha.
A
Doctor tells us
|
Buddha
tells us the truth about
|
What
is wrong with us
|
The
presence of suffering
|
What
is the cause of our illness
|
The
cause of suffering
|
That
there is a cure
|
The
end of suffering
|
What we have to do to get well
|
The
way to the end of suffering
|
The Truth of Suffering:
The Buddha's discovery of the solution to the problem of
suffering began with the recognition that there is suffering in life. 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 Truth of the Cause of Suffering:
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.
The Truth of the End 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.
Buddhists call this state Nirvana.
The Truth of the Path leading to the End of Suffering:
The way to end suffering is to follow the 'Noble Eightfold
Path', as per Buddhism:
- RIGHT
UNDERSTANDING
means to have a correct understanding of oneself and the world. - RIGHT
THOUGHT
means to think in the right way. - RIGHT
SPEECH
means to avoid lying, tale telling, gossiping, backbiting, idle talk and harsh words. - RIGHT
ACTION
means not to harm or destroy any life, not to steal and not to use sex in a harmful way. - RIGHT
LIVELIHOOD
means not to live on work that would in any way bring harm to living beings. - RIGHT
EFFORT
means to do our best to become a better person. - RIGHT
MINDFULNESS
means to be always aware and attentive. - RIGHT
MEDITATION
means to keep the mind steady and calm in order to see the true nature of things.
Source: Buddhanet