The Four Noble Truths
The first teaching Buddha gave was the Sutra of the Four Noble Truths, in which he explained about true sufferings, true origins, true cessations, and true paths. Samsaric rebirth, such as our present rebirth, is called "true suffering" because it is the basis of all other suffering and delusions. Delusions and actions motivated by delusions are called "true origins" because they are the origin, or source, of all sufferings. Liberation (Sanskrit-Nirvana) is called a "true cessation" because it is a permanent cessation of delusions and suffering. The paths that lead to liberation are called "true paths" because by following these paths we attain true cessations. Buddha said:
You should know sufferings
You should abandon origins
You should attain cessations
You should meditate on paths
The meaning of this is that we should first understand that samsaric rebirth is the nature of suffering and develop renunciation for it. Then we should abandon the delusions and negative actions that are the source, or origin, of samsaric rebirth and all its suffering, and make our human life meaningful by attaining liberation. To attain this permanent cessation of suffering, we should practise the paths that lead to liberation.
The four noble truths can be understood and practised on many different levels. Directly or indirectly, all Dharma practices are included within the practice of the four noble truths. At a basic level, we can begin the practice of the four noble truths by reflecting on the sufferings caused by anger. Anger destroys both peace of mind and peace in the world. The root cause of the two World Wars and of all the wars being fought in various parts of the world today is anger. On a smaller scale, anger destroys our personal relationships, our reputation, and the harmony within families and communities. Most of the arguments and most of the day to-day difficulties we experience with our family, friends, and colleagues are due to anger.
Recognizing the terrible and unnecessary sufferings that arise from anger, we should develop renunciation for them and then strive to abandon their cause, the mind of anger, by practising patience. In this way, we can attain a cessation of anger. The sufferings caused by anger are true sufferings, anger itself is a true origin, the practice of patience is a practice of true paths, and the permanent cessation of anger is a true cessation. We can also apply the same principles to the sufferings caused by attachment and ignorance.
From the book Introduction to Buddhism - by Geshe Kesang Gyatso
© Geshe Kelsang Gyatso & New Kadampa Tradition
