The Four Noble Truths

Question 1

The 4 Noble Truths

Answer 1

1) The Truth of Suffering
2) The Truth of the Cause of Suffering
3) The Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
4) The Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering

Question 2

12 Recitations of the Four Noble Truths

Answer 2

3 Sets of 4 Recitations

1) First set pertains to identification

2) Second set pertains to practices

3) Third set pertains to the results

Question 3

First set of recitations pertaining to identification

Answer 3

1) This is the truth of suffering
2) This is the truth of the cause of suffering
3) This is the truth of the cessation of suffering
4) This is the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering

Question 4

Second set of recitations pertaining to practices

Answer 4

1) The truth of suffering is to be identified
2) The cause of suffering is to be abandoned
3) The truth of the cessation of suffering is to be attained
4) The truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering is to be mediated upon

Question 5

Third set of recitations pertaining to results

Answer 5

1) Although the truth of suffering is to be identified, there is nothing to identify.

2) Although the cause of suffering is to be abandoned, there is nothing to abandon.

3) Although the truth of the cessation of suffering is to be attained, there is nothing to attain.

4) Although the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering is to be mediated upon, there is nothing to be mediated upon.

Question 6

3 Types of Suffering

Answer 6

1) Suffering of Suffering (Desire Relam only)

2) Suffering of Change (Desire Realm and first 3 concentrations is Form Realm)

3) Pervasive Conditioned Suffering (All 3 Realms)

Question 7

3 Realms

Answer 7

1) Desire Realm
A) Hungry Ghost
B) Hell
C) Animal
D) Human
E) Asura
F) Gods

2) Form Realm
A) First Concentration
B) Second Concentration
C) Third Concentration
D) Fourth Concentration

3) Formless Realm

Question 8

4 Causes of Suffering and 1 Result

Answer 8

4 Causes:
1) Self Grasping Ignorance
2) Inappropriate Attention (exaggerating the qualities of an object)
3) Afflictions
4) Contaminated Karma

1 Result:
5) Samsara

Question 9

Arya Nagarjuna on the cause of suffering from the Mulamadyamakakarika:

Answer 9

Ceasing of karmas and afflictions is Nirvana

Karmas and afflictions arise from the conceptualization of inappropriate attention

Which in turn arises from the elaboration of self grasping ignorance

The elaboration ceases through the wisdom of emptiness

Question 10

6 Root Afflictions

Answer 10

1) Attachment
2) Aversion
3) Ignorance
4) Arrogance
5) Doubt
6) Wrong View

Question 11

2 Types of Mental Defilements

Answer 11

1) Afflictive Obscurations - block us from Nirvana
A) Contaminated Karmas
B) Afflictions
C) Active Seeds of Both

2) Cognitive Obscurations - Block us from Buddhahood
A) Mental Stains
B) Inactive Seeds

Question 12

Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering described with Heart Sutra Mantra

Answer 12

Om Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha

Go, Go, Go Beyond, Go Utterly Beyond, Establish Full Awakening

1) Gate - Path of Accumulation
2) Gate - Path of Preparation
3) Paragate - Path of Seeing
4) Parasamgate - Path of Meditation
5) Bodhi Svaha - Path of No More Learning