Monday, February 16, 2009

Four Truths for Nobles

"Cattari-ariya-saccani" is "Four Truths for Nobles."

1st: Pali - dukkha, rebirth is caused by samsara - wandering.
The forms of suffering are birth, aging, sickness, and death.

2nd: Pali - samudaya, mistranslated as "craving" is actually wandering, lost, or ignorance.

3rd: Pali: nirodha, cessation of suffering or the vulgar nirvana.

4th: Pali: magga, "the path" to the cessation (nirodha) of rebirth (dukkha).

Be aware that "suffering" (Pali dukkha) also means impermanence (of cessation) or imperfection (of wisdom). Without cessation, one is born again into this place of suffering. Without wisdom (wallowing in ignorance) one is born again into this place of suffering. The Buddhist equivalent of Hell, this place of shadow and light is the realm of suffering.

These "Four Noble Truths" are, in fact, The Four Truths for Noble People (of Wisdom). Implied is an extensive education followed by the development of wisdom (through meditation). Sorry about that.

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