Four noble truths

Question 1

Four Noble truths

Answer 1

1. Dukkha
2. Samudaya
3. Nirodha
4. Magga

Question 2

The doctor analogy

Answer 2

The doctor analogy is that the Buddha is the physician, the Sangha is the nurse, and that Dukkha is the illness. There is an investigation by the Buddha into why this illness exists. He concludes that samudaya is tanha, or craving. The cure/prescription is to activate nirodha with magga (the eightfold path). This attempts to attack the root of craving, treating the cause of and preventing the arising of suffering.
Illness – dukkha.
Diagnosis – samudaya.
There is a treatment – nirodha.
Prescription – magga.

Question 3

Buddha’s first sermon quote

Answer 3

‘I teach one thing and one thing only; suffering and the end of suffering.’

Question 4

Denise Cush 3 types of suffering

Answer 4

1. Dukkha-Dukkha - normal suffering.
2. Viparinama-Dukkha - suffering because of annica.
3. Sankhara-Dukkha - suffering because of insubstantiality.

Question 5

Rupert Gethin Samudaya

Answer 5

Argues that Samudaya is a message of hope because it teaches that suffering is cerated by beings, and therefore that it is our responsibility. This means that humans can take steps to combat suffering in their lives.

Question 6

Tanha

Answer 6

Craving

Question 7

Samudaya

Answer 7

The origins of suffering.

Question 8

Lama Yeshe tanha

Answer 8

Argues that the heart of suffering lies with the individual.

Question 9

Nirodha

Answer 9

Cutting off craving through detachment.

Question 10

Alan Watts

Answer 10

Nirvana means to blow out.

Question 11

Rupert Gethin nirodha

Answer 11

The Buddha taught that the more people that free themselves from desire, ill, will, and ignorance, the greater there happiness will be.

Question 12

79th question of King Milinda

Answer 12

King Milinda asks if nirvana has any pain in it or it all bliss. Nagasena characterises nirvana as, ‘all bliss, O King. There is no intermingling of pain in it.’ He justifies this by claiming that all the pain endured by those on the journey is a preliminary stage to get to nirvana, not nirvana itself. He uses a metaphor of the bliss of sovereignty, the experience of sovereignty, as a king, is entirely blissful, while the process of attaining it is difficult and painful.

Question 13

80th question of King Milinda

Answer 13

Nagasena characterises nirvana through the use of several analogies, he argues that it is like a lotus. This is because the flower remains untarnished by its water, much like how nirvana remains untarnished by any evil dispositions. He argues that nirvana is like a medicine, just as medicine is a refuge for all beings tormented by poison, nirvana is refuge for beings tormented by evil dispositions. Nirvana and medicine also both end griefs. They also are both ambrosia. Nirvana is also like space, it isn’t born, never grows old, never dies, isn’t compressible, can’t be carried around by thieves, is unattached to everything, the sphere in which arahats move, it is infinite, nothing can obstruct it.

Question 14

Magga

Answer 14

The Noble Eightfold path

Question 15

Metta

Answer 15

loving and kindness

Question 16

karuna

Answer 16

compassion

Question 17

Rupert Gethin nirvana

Answer 17

Argues that it is impossible to explain nirvana to an unenlightened person.

Question 18

The Buddha detachment

Answer 18

Detachment is positive as ‘you only lose what you cling to.’

Question 19

Lama Yeshe attachment

Answer 19

All issues stem from attachment.

Question 20

Barbara O’Brien

Answer 20

Eliminating Tanha would cease Dukkha.

Question 21

Dr Alexander Berzin

Answer 21

Positive acts can come from either a place of attachment or non-attachment.

Question 22

Brian Thompson

Answer 22

With non-attachment our relationships will improve because we become selfless, giving effortless love, kindness, and compassion.