The Four Noble Truths

The Four Noble Truths are central to Buddhism. These truths were taught by the Buddha shortly after he became enlightened.

The First Noble Truth is that life is frustrating and full of suffering, or dukkha.

The Second Noble Truth is that suffering is caused by tanha, the desire for private fulfillment.

The Third Noble Truth is that suffering can come to an end. If suffering is caused by selfish desire, it can be cured by overcoming desire.

The Fourth Noble Truth is that there is a path that leads away from suffering, the Eightfold Path. This path consists of eight practices that the Buddha believed would lead to enlightenment.


How could these four ideas form the core of a way of life?

Right Views

The first step on the Eightfold Path of Buddhism is called Right Views. This step means that you see clearly what is wrong with life.

It also means that you understand the Four Noble Truths: we suffer by grasping at things we do not need and running from things that we need not fear, but we can be freed from suffering if we follow the Eightfold Path.


Write about you grasping at things you do not need and things you fear for no reason.

Right Intent

The second step on the Eightfold Path of Buddhism is called Right Intent.

This has to do with willingness. It is not enough to understand the Four Noble Truths. We must be willing to base our actions on them. Sometimes we know something is good for us but we don’t do it, or we continue to do something we know is bad for us.


We all have things we know we should be doing, but we don’t do. They can be small things, like taking vitamins. They can be big things, like preparing ourselves for life after school.

Write about something you know you should be doing, but don’t do and why you don’t do it