The Four Noble Truths

Question 1

AO3: How could the Four Noble Truths be argued to lack significance?

Answer 1

There is a vast library of Buddhist teachings - this is only one part.

Question 2

AO3: How does the Tibetan school not place all importance on the FNT?

Answer 2

They believe they are the third turning of the Dhamma wheel - focus on meditation and devotion.

Question 3

AO3: How for laymen in Therevada can other things be of importance?

Answer 3

More of a focus on earning good karma - FNT for the monastics.

Question 4

AO3: What arguably makes the FNT important for all Buddhists?

Answer 4

All paths trace back to the FNT.

Question 5

AO3: How may the FNT be argued to be representative of reality?

Answer 5

They are based in empirical observation and have worked for many people over the years.

Question 6

AO3: What is one way the FNT may not be seen as representative of reality?

Answer 6

They are avoidant of complex questions - instead have to rely on faith.

Question 7

AO3: How may the Eightfold Path be seen as representative of reality?

Answer 7

The moral code relates to the world and the mental processes it encourages help us understand the link between our mind and our body.

Question 8

AO3: How may a Buddhist argue the evasive nature of the FNT does not make them less representative of reality?

Answer 8

The ‘unanswered’ questions are irrelevant to the human conditioning of suffering.

Question 9

Where are the four noble truths found?

Answer 9

The Buddha’s first sermon after his Awakening/Enlightenment is found in the Dhammacakkappavattana (setting in motion the wheel of dhamma) Sutta and in this the Four Noble Truths are outlined.

Question 10

What do the four noble truths state?

Answer 10

These state that (1) there is dukkha, (2) samudaya (arising) of dukkha is caused by tanha (craving), (3) nirodha (stop/end) of tanha/dukkha is achievable, (4) the magga (path) realising the end of tanha/dukkha is set out.

Question 11

What is the first type of Dukkha identified in Buddhism?

Answer 11

Dukkha-dukkha (painful experience) refers to physical and mental/emotional pain which is experienced by all people such as illness and sadness.

Question 12

What is the second type of Dukkha identified in Buddhism?

Answer 12

Viparinama-dukkha (changing nature of existence) refers to suffering caused by change particularly when a person tries to cling to things being stable/happy and pleasant when in fact they are not and when the change is from things being happy and pleasant to them being unpleasant.

Question 13

What is the third type of Dukkha identified in Buddhism?

Answer 13

Sankhara-dukkha (the contingent nature of existence) refers to suffering caused by the conditioned state of human beings whereby the continual rising and falling away of everything takes place outside of human control.

Question 14

What is the medical metaphor of the four noble truths?

Answer 14

Understands the Buddha as the physician who (1) diagnoses the illness as dukkha, (2) identifies the cause as tanha, (3) advises that the illness can be brought to an end – nirodha and (4) provides the treatment which is following the magga.

Question 15

What is Tanha?

Answer 15

Tanha can be understood as attachment/craving/thirst and is linked to sensual desires/ pleasures.

Question 16

What is Tanha a result of?

Answer 16

Tanha is a result of the Three Poisons (ignorance, greed and hatred) and can be linked to a craving for existence and to its opposite non-existence.

Question 17

What is Nirodha?

Answer 17

Nirodha can be understood as stopping all tanha through the removal of the Three Poisons, which will then help to lead to an end of rebirth, breaking out of samsara and achieving nibbana.

Question 18

Why can nibbana not be defined?

Answer 18

Nibbana cannot be defined because it is outside the world of conditioned things in which humans live. It is neither nothing nor is it something; it can be described as a transcendent experience in which there is a radically transformed state of consciousness.

Question 19

When can the magga be followed?

Answer 19

The magga can be followed once a person has accepted the insights of the Buddha contained in the first three of the Noble Truths.

Question 20

How is the magga followed?

Answer 20

The magga has to be followed by each person in their own way and it is important that the person does not cling to the magga as it is only like a raft that helps in crossing over the sea of samsara to nibbana.