That both I and you have had to travel and trudge through this long round is owing to our not discovering, not penetrating four truths. What four? They are: The Noble Truth of Suffering, The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering, The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering, and the Noble Truth of the Way Leading to the Cessation of Suffering.
Digha Nikaya, Sutta 16
For many of us, having a taste of meditation and mindfulness practice naturally leads us to the Dharma, the teachings of Buddhism. The Buddha’s Teachings are extensive, but there are a few main topics that we focus on at Marin Mindful Recovery. Luckily there are a plethora of resources.
For any practitioner, and especially for those in Recovery, the primary teaching of the Buddha is the “Four Nobles Truths”, which can be stated as:
- The truth of suffering (Dukkha)
- The truth of the origin of suffering (Samudāya)
- The truth of the cessation of suffering (Nirodha)
- The truth of the path to the cessation of suffering (Magga)
Please refer to the Study Guide offered by Access to Insight that is provided in the Resources Section. We will be discussing this subject in detail at our monthly meetings.
Dukkha can be defined in many ways but is usually described as a general unsatisfactoriness with all that we experience, stressful, not quite right, suffering, pain, or the inability to bear or withstand anything. Notice that the Buddha does not say that life is suffering. It is not external.
Birth is stressful, aging is stressful, death is stressful; sorrow, lamentation, pain, distress, & despair are stressful; association with the unbeloved is stressful, separation from the loved is stressful, not getting what is wanted is stressful. In short, the five clinging-aggregates are stressful.
SN 56.11 PTS: S v 420 CDB ii 1843
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta: Setting the Wheel of Dhamma in Motion
Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu
With each of the truths there is a statement and a duty. Regarding the 1st Noble Truth, the duty is that it is to be understood. This means that we are to contemplate how stress plays out in our lives. In Recovery, this is like pausing when agitated or taking an inventory. In our meditation we are to look for stress so that we can come to understand it. It is stated many times over in the suttas (another word for Buddhist teachings) to ask ourselves “what can I do that will be me long lasting benefit and for the benefit of others?”
In the Second Noble Truth the Buddha describes three things that cause us to suffer. It is a thirst, desire, longing or greed for anything physical or mental. The origins of this desire comes from the Pali word taṇhā in the buddhist language. It includes:
- Craving for sensual pleasures (Kama-taṇhā)
- Craving for Becoming (Bhava-taṇhā)
- Craving for Unbecoming (Vibhava-taṇhā)
We will explore these aggregates further.
It is the attachment or clinging to these desires or cravings that cause our suffering. It is this identification with the things we desire but cannot control that causes suffering. It comes from ignorance of self.
Note:
There is a skillful use of desire. A desire to act, to offer, to commit, to have interest or intention for skillful means such meditation and practice. This is called Chanda. This is what leads us to and keeps us on the path. What path? Well that is the 4th Noble Truth, which is comprised of Right View, Right Resolve or Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, & Right Concentration/Meditation.