The Four Noble Truths : 4. Explanation of the Noble Truth of the Path to the End of Suffering

Meditation

Meditation for Beginners

 

The Four Noble Truths : 4. Explanation of the

Noble Truth of the Path to the End of Suffering

 

 

 the ocean of the Cycle of Existence is haunted by countless malevolent spirits and predatory fishes

 

The Lord Buddha’s explanation of the Path to the End of Suffering includes all four of the Path to the End of suffering’s implications in the light of the Four Noble Truths:

 

    4.1 The Path as the Escape from the cycle of Existence;

    4.2 The Path as the Cause;

    4.3 The Path as the Manifestation;

    4.4 The Path as the Supreme.

 

4.1 The Path as the Escape from the Cycle of Existence

 

This is the direct definition of the Noble Truth of the Path to the End of Suffering. Whosoever wishes to traverse the ocean of the Cycle of Existence, needs to rely on the Noble Eightfold Path as the Supreme and Magnificent Vessel that can ride out all storms and perils to reach the other side of the worldly realms safely, without deviation or shipwreck.

 their passengers all drowned or becoming food to the fish.

 

The ocean of the Cycle of Existence is brimming with the tears brought forth in the course of the suffering of birth. Aging, sickness and death of living beings.

 

Furthermore, the ocean of the Cycle of Existence is haunted by countless malevolent spirits and predatory fishes, comparable to the defilements of greed, hatred, delusion and stinginess. This ocean is so deep that aside from the Noble Eightfold Path, there is no vessel which could manage to make the crossing without being dashed to pieces by the fierce waves and their passengers all drowned or becoming food to the fish. The Noble Eightfold Path alone can with stand the crossing to Nirvana the lord Buddha explained the Noble Eightfold Path thus to communicate the outstanding majesty of this fourth Noble Truth.

 

4.2 The Path as the Cause

 

In order to show the relationship between the Noble Truth of ‘Path’ and the Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering, the Buddha taught that for all those who wish to escape the Cycle of Existence who have not yet succeeded, the reason is because craving still lurks in their minds or they lack the wisdom to comprehend the danger of craving and who still let clinging to rebirth [upadana] run amok and who can thereby not manage to find a Noble Vessel by which to traverse the Ocean of Worldliness.

 

 

 the Buddha taught that for all those who wish to escape the Cycle of Existence who have not yet succeeded

 

Those who are wise and endowed with Right View will see the dangerous reality of craving, and not delay in practicing the Noble Eightfold Path as a vessel to take them beyond the Sea of Worldliness.

 

4.3 The Path as the Manifestation

 

Demonstrating the inter-relation between the Noble Eightfold Path and the Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering the Lord Buddha explained that practicing the Noble Eightfold Path is the method by which the Cessation of Suffering or Nirvana can be manifested.

 

4.4 The Path as the Supreme

 

The Lord Buddha taught that the supremacy of the Noble Eightfold Path lies in its ability to extinguish all suffering for all those who practice it in just the same way as a powerful charm or spell, by its recitation, can overcome the effects of a poisonous snake-bite. It is like the pure rainwater that falls from the sky and irrigates the fields ensuring that all crops can bear plentiful fruit and guarding against the perils of malnutrition and drought. Just as water is the leading factor in vegetal growth, the Noble Eightfold Path is the Supreme factor in allaying the Noble Truth of Suffering.

 

 

 the Noble Eightfold Path and all linked to the other Noble Truths, as taught by the Lord Buddha.

 

The Inter-relation of Explanation for the Noble Truths

 

The direct explanation of each of the Noble Truths is found in each case in the first explanation of the four given for Suffering it is ‘misery’; for the Origin of Suffering it is ‘Being Compiled’; for the Extinction of Suffering it is ‘Release’ and for the Noble Eightfold Path it is ‘Escape from the Cycle of Existence’.

 

For the Noble Truth of Suffering, the Lord Buddha taught us to avoid the twelve characteristics of Suffering’s misery by reflecting on Suffering’s meaning at 2, 3 and 4 in that order. As for the the meaning at 2, even though it is concerned with the Noble truth of Suffering, it has implications reaching to the Origin of Suffering. Although the meaning at 3 is concerned with the Noble Truth of Suffering, it has implications reaching to the Noble Eightfold Path. Although the meaning at 4 is concerned with the Noble Truth of Suffering, it has implications reaching to the Cessation of Suffering, it has implications reaching to the Cessation of Suffering. In the same way the meanings at 2, 3 and  4 for the Origin  of Suffering, the Cessation of Suffering and the Noble Eightfold Path and all linked to the other Noble Truths, as taught by the Lord Buddha.

 

 

Meditation - Related Articles

What is meditation?

7 Bases of mind 

How many kinds of meditation are there?

The Right Concentration

The False Concentration 

How to Meditate 

A Meditation Guide

Learning Meditation

Basic Meditation Method 

Meditation is not difficult 

Dhammakaya Temple  

Meditation Retreat