The Four Noble Truths

Question 1

The first noble truth

Answer 1

All life involves suffering/unsatisfactoriness (dukkha)

Question 2

The second noble truth

Answer 2

The cause of dukkha is craving (tanha)

Question 3

The third noble truth

Answer 3

The cessation of craving (nirodha) will bring about the cessation of dukkha

Question 4

The fourth noble truth

Answer 4

There is a path (magga) to cut off nirodha

Question 5

The doctor analogy

Answer 5

1. The doctor first diagnoses the illness (in the 4 noble truths this is dukkha)
2. The doctor identifies the cause of the illness (desire or craving - tanha)
3. The doctor decides whether you can be cured (reach nirvana)
4. The doctor prescribes the right medicine or path (magga)

Question 6

Nirodha

Answer 6

The cessation (ending) of craving - reaching nirvana

Question 7

Magga

Answer 7

Path to the cessation of suffering - freedom from suffering is possible by following the eightfold path

Question 8

Who did the Buddha speak to during the deer park sermon?

Answer 8

The five monks (bhikkus) that he was with

Question 9

What did he teach during the deer park sermon?

Answer 9

The four noble truths (the cause and escape of suffering) , the middle path and the eightfold path

Question 10

Quote from the deer park sermon

Answer 10

“I teach one thing and one thing only: suffering and the end of suffering” - the ultimate goal of Buddhism

Question 11

Arhat

Answer 11

“worthy one” or “perfected one” – was the highest ideal of a disciple of the Buddha. He or she was a person who had completed the path to enlightenment and achieved nirvana.

Question 12

What does dukkha mean?

Answer 12

It is though to mean “suffering” or “unsatisfactoriness” but in reality it means much more than that - dukkha is part of the fundamental nature of our world

Question 13

What could possibly solve the problem of dukkha?

Answer 13

The eightfold path - it enables us to completely escape this world by reaching nirvana. Nirvana is the complete cessation of dukkha through the overcoming of tanha (craving).

Question 14

What does tanha mean?

Answer 14

Thirst, desire or craving

Question 15

What is the first type of tanha?

Answer 15

Kama tanha - craving for the six kinds of sense desires - e.g. Food or touch or silence

Question 16

What is the second type of tanha?

Answer 16

Bhava tanha - the desire for becoming what you are not - e.g. Becoming prettier or more athletic or more wealthy

Question 17

What is the third type of tanha?

Answer 17

Vibhava tanha - aversion to life itself - suicidal - your whole being is rejecting existence - if you’ve ever felt suicidal then you’ve experienced flashes of extreme vibhava tanha

Question 18

What is tanha part of?

Answer 18

The twelve nidhanas

Question 19

What does nirvana mean?

Answer 19

Extinction

Question 20

What happens at nirvana?

Answer 20

The three poisons and their karmic effects are extinguished - the individual ceases to be reborn

Question 21

What are the two types of nirvana?

Answer 21

Nirvana with remainder and nirvana without remainder

Question 22

What is nirvana with remainder?

Answer 22

nirvana that happens in this life and the individual continues to exist afterwards but without tanha in perfect bliss - e.g. The nirvana that the Buddha experienced at 35

Question 23

What is nirvana without remainder?

Answer 23

Nirvana which takes place at death when the person ceases to exist - what the Buddha experienced at 80

Question 24

What is the state of nirvana?

Answer 24

The state of nirvana is such that nothing in the conditioned world can be compared to it - its nature is beyond the scope of language

Question 25

What is discussed in the 79th dilemma in The Questions of King Milinda?

Answer 25

Nirvana is entirely blissful - like the sovereignty of kings - although it is painful to get there (e.g. The battles) it is worth it to be in complete bliss (like the sovereignty of kings)

Question 26

What is in the 80th dilemma in The Questions of King Milinda?

Answer 26

The king asks if it is possible to create a simile about nirvana and nàgasena tells him that this is not possible because there is no other thing like it - he create smilies referring to different attributes of nirvana

Question 27

What are the three groups of the eightfold path?

Answer 27

The way of wisdom, the way of morality and the way of mental training

Question 28

Which step of the eightfold path are included in the way of wisdom?

Answer 28

1. Right view - accept that life is governed by the three marks of existence
2. Right intention - follow the eightfold path and give up selfish desires

Question 29

Which step of the eightfold path are included in the way of morality?

Answer 29

3. Right speech - speak truthfully, value silence, do not gossip
4. Right action - follow the five precepts
5. Right livelihood - have a job that will help others or at least won’t harm them

Question 30

Which step of the eightfold path are included in the way of mental training?

Answer 30

6. Right effort - you need to try and shape your thoughts by willing away the negative ones and putting positive ones in their place
7. Mindfulness or right awareness - become aware of what is happening right now in the world around you - lie in the present and stop daydreaming
8. Right concentration - meditation the ultimate goal of which is nirvana

Question 31

The ninth step in the tenfold path?

Answer 31

Right knowledge - understanding we gain directly from experiencing the absence of suffering

Question 32

The tenth step of the tenfold path?

Answer 32

Right release - Right release is then introduced by Right knowledge by helping our mind to relax and appreciate the process of letting go of clinging. The Knowledge of suffering caused by clinging brings the reluctance to cling. This knowledge of realization leads us to know that letting go clinging is a step towards attaining peace.

Question 33

Why did Buddha speak of two extra steps to the eightfold path?

Answer 33

These steps are ‘acquired’ stages of wisdom and come after the other steps