Four Noble Truths

Four Noble Truths (Sanskrit Catvari-Arya-Satyani), the four fundamental principles of Buddhism, expounded by the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, after his enlightenment in the 6th century bc. The first truth is the Holy Truth of Suffering: All existence is suffering (dukkha). The second is the Holy Truth of the Cause of Suffering: The cause (samudaya) of suffering is ignorant craving (tanha) for pleasure, striving for life, and the assumption that everything ends at death. The third truth is the Holy Truth of the Cessation of Suffering: Suffering can cease (nirodha) by withdrawal from and renunciation of craving. The fourth truth is the Holy Truth of the Way to the Cessation of Suffering: The path (magga) that leads to the end of suffering is the Eightfold Path. Although interpreted in various ways, these precepts are accepted by all schools of Buddhism and serve as the foundation of the religion. They are held to provide the key to the ideal state of being—that is, nirvana.