Significance of Four Truths
The Four Truths in Buddhism consist of foundational teachings that articulate the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation. These principles are essential for understanding the suffering that all beings encounter and provide guidance toward enlightenment. Encapsulated in the core teachings of the Buddha, the Four Truths emphasize the significance of comprehending suffering to achieve liberation and spiritual awakening. They serve as the cornerstone of Buddhist philosophy and practice across various traditions, including Theravada, Mahayana, and Tibetan Buddhism.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Four Truths'
The Four Truths in Buddhism outline essential teachings: the nature of suffering, its cause, the possibility of its cessation, and the path to achieving this cessation, guiding followers towards enlightenment and liberation from suffering.
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) This is one of the fourteen Buddha Knowledges, attained by disciples.[1] (2) The realization attained by devas and humans, numbering one hundred thousand, after the Buddha's teaching.[2] (3) These constitute the factors of Enlightenment, as well as various categories of Dhamma, such as wholesome, unwholesome, etc.[3] (4) The Noble Disciple understands these and is able to abandon thoughts of sensuality.[4] (5) Something that eighteen crores of Brahmas, who were of mature meritorious roots and who had performed deeds of extraordinary merit, had already assembled in unison to comprehend.[5]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) The Four Truths refer to the foundational teachings of Buddhism, encompassing the nature of suffering, its cause, the possibility of its cessation, and the path leading to it.[6] (2) The core teachings preached by the Master at the conclusion of the story, representing fundamental principles of the faith.[7] (3) Teachings preached by the Master at the end of the story, essential for achieving enlightenment.[8] (4) Fundamental teachings in Buddhism that explain the nature of suffering and the path to overcoming it, affirmed by the Master.[9] (5) Fundamental principles declared by the Supreme Buddha Kassapa, essential to liberating individuals from bondage.[10]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) The Bhikshu continues in perception of the four Truths.[11] (2) Core teachings in Buddhism concerning suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[12] (3) Essential teachings in Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[13] (4) The foundational principles of Buddhism that explain the nature of suffering and the path to enlightenment.[14] (5) Key concepts in Buddhism that represent the fundamental principles of the faith, difficult for the untrained mind to grasp.[15]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) The fundamental teachings in Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to cessation.[16] (2) The foundational concepts in Buddhist teachings: suffering, origin of suffering, cessation of suffering, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering.[17] (3) The four truths are suffering, origin of suffering, cessation of suffering, and the way leading to the cessation of suffering.[18] (4) The fundamental principles of Buddhism that guide the understanding of suffering and the path to its cessation.[19]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The foundational teachings in Buddhism that encompass suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path to its cessation.[20]
From: Dhammapada (translated from the Pali)
(1) The best of truths as mentioned in the context of understanding reality.[21]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) The foundational principles of Dharma that guide individuals towards enlightenment.[22]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) One of the groups of five, concerning fundamental principles of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path to its cessation, and the indeterminate-unconditioned.[23] (2) This is what the person who has doubts about finds the path when they are preached, showing the importance of these truths in the journey toward enlightenment.[24] (3) The fundamental teachings of the Buddha concerning suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[25] (4) The foundational doctrines in Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[26] (5) The four truths (catuhsatya) are the fundamental principles in Buddhism that delineate the nature of suffering, its cause, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[27]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) This term is associated with meditation, as practicing the usmagata, murdhana, ksanti, and laukikagradharma and meditating on these, leads to the anagamin's fruition.[28] (2) The foundational Buddhist teachings that describe suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering.[29] (3) Core teachings of Buddhism that articulate the nature of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[30] (4) The Buddha speaks of the Truths pertaining to suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to the cessation of suffering.[31] (5) Core teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation, which include: Suffering, the Cause of Suffering, Extinction, and the Way to the Extinction of Suffering.[32]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) Core teachings expounded by Buddha Mangala that lead to spiritual awakening and liberation.[33] (2) Essential teachings of the Buddha that outline the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[34] (3) Fundamental teachings of the Buddhist doctrine that outline the nature of suffering and the path to enlightenment.[35]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The four truths articulated by the Buddha include suffering, its origination, its extinction, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering.[36] (2) The core principles of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to enlightenment.[37] (3) The foundational teachings of suffering, accumulation, extinction, and the Way in Buddhism.[38]
From: The gods of northern Buddhism
(1) The foundational concepts of Buddha's teachings that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[39] (2) Fundamental Buddhist teachings that lay out the philosophy behind suffering, its cause, cessation, and the path leading to it.[40]
From: Abhidharmakośa
(1) The foundational truths mentioned in the text, which are suffering, origin, extinction, and path; they are understood in a specific sequence.[41]
From: Avatamsaka Sutra (flower adornment sutra)—Preface
(1) These are Suffering, Accumulations, Extinction, and The Way, which the Sound Hearers cultivate in order to become enlightened to the Way.[42]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) These are the holy truths of suffering, origin, cessation, and the way, seen through knowledge.[43]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) Key foundational concepts that are central to philosophical or spiritual teachings, whose non-existence would hinder the possibility of wisdom and understanding.[44] (2) The fundamental principles that are acknowledged by the omniscient being as part of their comprehensive understanding of all knowable things.[45] (3) The truths expounded by the Blessed Lord regarding what should be sought for and what should be rejected, alongside the means of achieving this understanding in their perfect form.[46]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) Core Buddhist principles learned by the young scholar, emphasizing fundamental doctrines of suffering and its cessation.[47] (2) The teachings that were preached extensively by Phu chung ba phu chung ba gzhon nu rgyal mtshan to introduce individuals to the Doctrine.[48] (3) The core principles understood by the Buddha that led to his full enlightenment.[49]
From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)
(1) Fundamental principles of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[50]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) By the revelation of the four truths there is the one time of the four acceptances, then the four knowledges, and then the four acceptances of subsequent cognition.[51]
The concept of Four Truths in local and regional sources
Four Truths, as per regional sources, encompass suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering, as highlighted in the first discourse.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The first discourse also speaks of these: suffering, origin of suffering, cessation of suffering and the path leading to the cessation of suffering.[52]
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) The provided content mentions that Gunamati Bodhisattva penetrated the meaning of the three Pitakas and investigated the four truths through close study.[53]
The concept of Four Truths in scientific sources
Four Truths are linked to student unease when chanting "No eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind." This unsettling feeling relates to the core concepts of Four Truths.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) The “Four Truths” are mentioned when students often note the unsettling feeling produced by chanting, “No eyes, no ears, no nose, no tongue, no body, no mind.”[54]