What are the Four Noble Truths? 

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I think many people, when they read of the 2nd Noble Truth, would naturally question, "If there's no craving, how would we be motivated to do anything?" The answer starts to become clear when one realises that craving is not the same as motivation. Craving is incessant and subconcious. It constantly spurs one to do things he/she cannot really justify. (although the mind tends to cover that up by finding "justifications" afterwards).

Impermanence is such a core teaching in Buddhism. It reminds us to embrace change and let go of attachment.

As usual Doug, great information thank you so much for being so clear with everything. I’m new upon Buddhism and it. Your videos are really helping me. It’s really tremendous.

Profound wisdom my friend. This is changing my life for the better!

Thank you, Doug. I've subscribed on this my other account. A practitioner for 40 years, the 4 Noble Truths have been my study for 20 years. I so appreciate your view. I am a country away from my former sangha, so appreciate all your teachings. Sid

Great description, Doug. I saw a Christian discussion on RU-vid where they mocked the Buddhist idea of suffering, assuming the word was meant in the sense we use it in the West. Their answer was that you would have complete peace by surrendering to Jesus. I would like to think that they were describing their beliefs accurately but, in my long life, I haven't met many laid-back Christians who understood the nature of their dissatisfactions. Thanks for another great video.

Super informative! I’m new to studying Buddhism but so interested. Thanks for taking the time to film these

I think the things the Buddha said about pleasures couldnt be more true. I see it alot that people just go on a vacation just to be stressed there or distracting themselves from all the other stress. I would consider the things the Buddha said of really profound wisdom. Thanks for sharing these teachings!

Doug, thank you for clear explanation. This was the first topic to learn in my Meditation class at my Bao Lin Chan Monastery. The Four Noble Truths helps us contemplate on our experiences, thoughts and actions, hence reminds us that we are in control of our lives and can improve our present and future karma. Amituofo 🙏

“Many have died; you also will die. The drum of death is being beaten. The world has fallen in love with a dream. Only sayings of the wise will remain.”_ Saint Kabir

Thank you so much for this explanation Doug. I can understand better now!!

Doug, thanks so much for this explanation of the four Noble Truths. I've watched it a couple of times. It contains so much wisdom, and . you're giving a very clear description of it. Will probably watch it a few more times to really grasp all the nuances.

I see why this is an advanced teaching from the buddha. I taking notes and I've found myself saying "well how do I do that" a couple times. I'm sure the four noble truths will be like a photo coming into focus as I learn more about buddhism. ☸️

Really helpful explanation, thank you. Just the right depth and length.

Hi your subscriber here and I just want to say thank you for actually explaining what the Four Noble Truths are and I understand no matter what we do when we explain any things or ideas there will be a bias no matter what even if it's very small and that's the problem I've had when trying to look for information on Buddhism and the Buddhist teaching is that every person but I found has either tried to tell me what they think about it how they feel about it. I will definitely browsing your channel and watching all your videos thank you for what you were doing

I just discovered your channel a few days ago, and I must say your explanations are comprehensive yet concise. I watch other Buddhist channels such as the Canadian monk Yuttadhammo Bhikku and also The Buddhist Society of Western Australia. Their content is excellent too. Kind regards and keep up the good work 😁

A huge thank u from Argentina- Buenisimo!

Thank you, Doug! ❤

The TV won’t let me hit a like or subscribe, or comment. Chintzy! Please be assured that I catch all your great talks, and I appreciate your clear, generous delivery. My practice (meditation) is only five years old, though I’ve benefited enormously from a friendship with a fellow with whom I studied Zen then other Buddhist literature and thought, and still continue. I’ve avoided being part of a Sangha, perhaps as a withdrawal from a very gregarious and public career. When I encounter your talks, I’m so thankful for your efforts in the midst of our rather chaotic times. Thank you also for encouraging us to write to you. Bless.

Love this. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.

Really great intro, Doug! I was struck by the impermanence of things today and so I really enjoyed your presentation. Cheers, Jim

I love you Doug!

Doug sorry, It might be that I'm just watching this way too late in the evening but I need some clarification, I hope that you can see this. So at the end of the video, you started talking about these noble truths, that they should be viewed as tasks to be understood. If i can reword it, and tell me if i am correct or wrong: being aware of the four truths as applied to one's life and experience. Much love, Doug. You are an amazing teacher.

Having seen quite a few of your videos and enjoyed and learned from almost every single one, this is the one I wish was way, way longer. That being said my intention is not to take away anything from the quality of the content and presentation it self. So here I am craving more nowledge being served to me, hahaha ;)

Thank you for doing these videos.

Very good for us in our life when we understand for Four noble truths . Thank you very much.

This has made the 4 noble truths easier to understand.

Really appreciate the rarity of this quality scholasticism from a practitioner (I assume). Keep up the damn fine work, please :)

Hi Doug, "suffering" as a concept makes more sense to me than "unsatisfactory". "suffering" also gets my attention better from marketing perspective. Your mileage my vary. Cheers, Kim

Great video! Thank you!

Thank you, wonderfully explained. I am understanding the 4 noble truths a lot more.

Hi Doug. Thank you for sharing this. A couple of questions came to mind as I was watching: - Knowing that all things are impermanent, and attachment to impermanent things causes suffering, how do we ordinary non-monastics go about forming meaningful relationships and connections with other people whilst still observing the four noble truths? - You mentioned that clinging to forms of entertainment and art/media can be a cause/effect of suffering as well. Is there a place for art and human expression within Buddhism and if so, are there conditions?

One of your best videos

You are doing a great work. Keep it up man

Very good. I am a sri lankan. A buddhist.

Hi Doug . Hello I have questions for you hoping you could give light to these doubts. 1.- If I’m awakened or enlightened, am I free from all three kinds of Dukkha? 2.- If I’m already enlightened or awakened, what would my response be when my son or daughter dies in an accident? Will I still be free from Dukkha? 3.- When I’m enlightened I don’t even categorize sensations as pleasant or unpleasant? Are they just sensations (feelings)?

I'm really glad that I found this video! Now I understand the meaning of the four noble truth clearly. I have to report about the four noble truth in front of our class and I really don't have any idea about it. Thank you so much for this video it really help a lot.

Hi Doug, I have a question about joy and pleasure. Should we not allow ourselves to find the joy and pleasure in life? This is one of the things I am wrestling with as I practice secular Buddhism.

Really good and informative video on the Four Noble Truths. Your explanation makes it easier to understand and grasp the true meanings of it. Thank you very much for your teachings.

Doug, are you aware of any textual variants of the first discourse? I have heard that there are that are very different from what is in the Pali Canon, but I have not seen any translations on the web. Thanks.

Hello I have questions for you hoping you could give light to these doubts. 1.- If I’m awakened or enlightened, am I free from all three kinds of Dukkha? 2.- If I’m already enlightened or awakened, what would my response be when my son or daughter dies in an accident? Will I still be free from Dukkha? 3.- When I’m enlightened I don’t even categorize sensations as pleasant or unpleasant? Are they just sensations (feelings)?

Thank you Doug for the excellent description of the Four Noble Truths. It has helped me to gain a better understanding.

Thanks!

Thanks for making the video, please make more videos on Buddhism ☺️🙏

Help me out. I'm having trouble seeing the logic connecting the 4 Noble Truths and Right View, as in ethical principles and "wisdom". Granted, if you can't crave, what's left? Is ethics and wisdom the only answer?

Very valuable explanation thanks very much

Interesting how the meaning changes based on what translation is used. As an Indian, through this process of discovering Buddhism, I like to look up the original words such as Dukha to understand the more 'accurate' understanding of the word. I do feel it is important to use wordier translations if the translation is more correct, lest we run with mistranslations of the Dharma like Žižek (whom I otherwise respect) or Nietzsche.

The Four Noble Truths came later in the Buddha's teachings. My understanding is that one thing the Buddha understood while under the Bodhi Tree was dependent co-arising. The standard Theravadan teaching is that it occurs over three lifetimes which makes it difficult to see how it can work in our lifetime. Ajahn Buddadhasa had a different understanding that does explain how it works in our lifetime. Recently, one of his students, Santikaro, translated Buddhdasa's talks on the matter which is available in a book entitled Under the Bodhi Tree: Buddha's Original Vision of Dependent Co-arising. To me, it fits very well with secular Buddhism. Will you be discussing dependent co-arising in one of your forthcoming videos?

Thank you

My view is that at our very core we are at peace and complete. We find ourselves however in a world of lack, competition and uncertainty. Hence there arises the notion to escape fear, cling to a perceived refuge and escape into the pursuit of pleasure.

Very interesting video indeed, really enjoying learning from you so far! It's been great starting my mornings learning something new and finding a new or different way of looking and approaching things. I was wondering I understand how people can look for a distraction going to concerts or vacations to run away from dissatisfaction. But if that's not the case and you want to instead indulge in new experiences that bring you joy or happiness, would you say that is still a bad craving that could lead to dissatisfaction? I feel that if you're not distracting yourself from unhappiness then doing the things you love is what helps you live in the moment. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Again thank you for another fantastic video! ^_^

Hi Doug. I just came across your channel and I really enjoy your videos, they are so inspirational, informative and very clear; you really help communicate things so simply. I am at the beginning of my journey to exploring and learning Buddhism, so I’m grateful to have found your teachings. One thing I’m a bit confused about though, regarding the first noble truth: suffering. From you’ve said about this, I’ve taken to mean that having desires, cravings and even maybe goals, always leads to ‘suffering’ - disappointment or a sense of unsatisfaction, I think is how you describe it. If that’s the case, then is the first noble truth in essence questioning the validity or even the purpose of having cravings, and goals, if ultimately we still are lead to the same dissatisfied feeling? Yet, by not having cravings or desires or goals, are we at risk of living an unfulfilled life, which ultimately is suffering in itself? This to me seems a contradiction. So surely it is better to have cravings, desires and goals then not? Isn’t is it essentially a part of what makes us human to have these things - to have needs and wants? Many thanks 🙏

Humanity is trapped in perpetual loop of desires and suffering. Every generation is chasing the same old ancient desires and it has become endless chase. It's same as animals do. Only way to stop this endless craving is to stop bringing new people into existence. Can you make a video on opinion of Gautam Buddha on antinatalism.

Meicine for the mind. මනසට බෙහෙත්. සාදු සාදු සාදු

Good explaine 🔥

Hi Doug Many thanks for your work. I see your this as a very meritful initiative and for me personally a very big help. Would it be possible to let me have your opinion on one query about the first noble truth, that I will divide in two points: 1 - I am assuming that the existing of suffering in all the enumerated aspects of life is seen as a complement to the existence of pleasure/satisfaction as in a dualistic relation, pretty much as in a taoist perspective. Is this a correct interpretation? or is there a better way to look at it? 2 - If so, ist there in the sutras any mention on how much of existence is suffering and pleasure? ex: 50/50 for each? or is there an assumption that although suffering is always present the "amount" of pleasure/satisfaction can be of a higher value? or it can never overcome the "value/amount" of suffering/dissatisfaction. If there is such a reference can you let me know where I can find such a reference? Many thanks and please continue the great work, I believe we all need it.

Thanks for a very useful teaching Doug. I think to understand the Four Noble Truths as a call to action is brilliant advice.

First noble truth is "Duka" can be referred to as "sadness". Thanks for your efforts!

Hi Doug, someone in a youtube video said that the 4NT are contradictory because according to him the causes of suffering is desire and the desire to get rid of that desire is itself contradictory. I know he is wrong but how do we explain it succinctly. Thx.

Would it be helpful to think of them as ENnobling Truths?

Hi Doug! I apologise if I have asked this question before; Thich Nhat Hanh states that it is a common misunderstanding that craving is the only cause of suffering. He goes on to state that Craving just happened to be first on 'the list' and that this was a way of shortening suttas. Have you any thoughts on that?

Thus, the wheel of Dharma is set in motion. The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path are the rotating engine(wheel) that destroys the defilements and in doing so, opens up release from suffering, proportionately. Just as the wheel of becoming, further enmeshes us in ignorance and suffering if we are heedless and multiply it's causation, then by learning and training ourselves in the prescriptive, wholesome and supporting factors of the FNT's and NEP we create the supporting factors that eventually create the impetus for the wheel of Dharma to rotate and displace Dukkha and ignorance. with freedom and certainty that we are on the right track. The Lord Buddha, having been re united with his former companions, who had endured similar training to himself, thought that they might be receptive to what he had achieved. By reciting these factors of the Dharma to them, one of the companions, Kondanna, attained to the first level of enlightenement (Stream Entry) . Powerful is this healing medicine of the Dharma.

Very well done, thank you for sharing your work with the world❤

I never understood why "suffering" plays such a central role in Buddhism. Calling it "unsatisfactory" does not really change that. Overcoming it would never be a central objective to me. I always desired to live completely and I always thought all shades of pleasant and unpleasant, bearable and unbearable (and everything inbetween) were essential. What surpasses the feeling of being alive? Zazen helped me accepting and enjoying what I have. I know all of it will eventually pass away. Some of it stays with me as long as I live. I do not lose it, it does not lose me. I doubt I would ever be a good Buddhist... just sitting and breathing feels fine.

say for example my town was holding a fair with rides and games and things like that, would it be ok for me to want to go with my friends? im not quite understanding the second truth. would it be unsatisfactory for me to go on a vacation or things like that? /gen

Hello Doug! I really love your videos, I'm new to all this but it's really giving me a new perspective on life, and I'm grateful. I have a question about craving, what's the difference between craving and ambition? Is craving an inherent part of the human being?

Hello friends, I have a few questions about the four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path: 1 / I understand giving alms is a way to pay off karma, so how will we practice if we want to be liberated? 2 / Doctors kill animals, test drugs on people to find medicine, will this action help doctors get rid of the six paths of reincarnation? Thank you.

I have read What the Buddha taught by Rahula. In that book, the author describes the origin of suffering as Ignorance. He says, it was because of ignorance that craving starts.

Develop appreciation for blandness so that when small pleasures happen they are amplified. Appreciate your own company so that a harmonious life of the mind comes into play. Cultivate an enjoyment of mundane tasks so that you can self regulate your inner clockwork.

Taking highschool World history this helps a lot

love you

thanks

❤️ur studies. I understand noble truth refers to one practicing the total path leading to liberation is noble. If u practice these without practicing the full path it’s not necessarily noble.

Well done.

i'm trying to understand the first one like me and my brother own an xbox so he's on it like half the time so should i not want to use it? and i also use my moms laptop she uses for business trips so usually nobody else is using it but there's a possibility someone might need it from me, so when should i want something and when shou'd i not want something, and is it only for material things or made up things like i might want more confidence but i don't have any confidence, so should i just chill with what i do have

So this unsatisfactoriness comes from our constant desires? Does that include quest for education?

Website with fuller treatment of subject - Booker Bodi's? Not on long enough to copy.

I remember reading something along the lines of "The Buddha said all you need to follow his teachings is to know the four Noble truths." So this is far different from what I know.

Love how the buddha taught that we are responsible for our own well being.

The idea that the Four Noble Truths are an advanced topic isn't something I am familiar with. When I hear advanced topic mentioned, it is usually with regard to rebirth. Thank you.

It is hard for me to wrap mind around this because whast is the alternative when we loose all of the 'cravings'? Where are dreams then? What is the alternative to that - you simply exist not going into any direction? Why work then, not buying, not traveling - having a guilt when you think that something will make you happier and then having a thought coming from this blief - "why to bother, at the end all of this will pass and will not satisfy anyway". These in from my view can lead to some nihilistic point of view on the world. How to look on this and understand this?

สาธุครับ🙏🙏🙏❤️🇹🇭

Doug, although you may not have meant it this way, it almost seems like you are cautioning against enjoying things in life. For example, you talk about the striving to visit different places for vacations, but I don’t see the connection in enjoying aspects of life leading to suffering. Perhaps it’s the over-striving for these things?

Doug, can you please create a video to talk about how following Buddhism in our toxic, materialistic American society would cause our economy to collapse since it thrives on people killing themselves to obtain more possessions and wealth?

This idea of "seeking pleasure here and there" makes far too much sense for how I feel about my life right now.

Ty

I'm thinking of an old person who is bent over with a pain in their back, the Buddha would say that they are suffering because they are clinging, what are they clinging to, other then life I guess

What was the first and second thing he was teaching?

สาธุ! สาธุ! สาธุ! 🙏🙏🙏

At some point you wonder if Buddhism ever talks about how in the world you're supposed to actually indulge in and enjoy life, without becoming unbalanced - I always thought this was "the middle way." Yet listening to most of Buddhist philosophy makes me think that you just need to "remove" everything from your life in order to not suffer, put simply. I often think the translations into English are too simplistic and can too easily be confused (i.e. "right thought," "right action" can be confused with righteousness or authoritarianism). Who doesn't crave or desire things from time to time? Where is the nuance for this located? I've searched and listened and read and so often Buddhism, at least in the west, leaves me feeling depressed, sad, confused. I likely need a good teacher (also very hard to find along with information on older Buddhist traditions such as Bon), but the stuff on RU-vid concerns me greatly as well, lots of confused, younger people "teaching" and saying things even I know are not accurate or true. I forge my own path ultimately, after all, each of us have a unique relationship to the Creator mind, it is connected to everything yet individualized based on our perceptions and experience ultimately, so it's important to become wise in your own way I think, but I respect Buddhist philosophy and it's sad that more nuanced, dharmic discussions of it and accessible, deeper information on the basics are so hard to find.

Dhammapada sums up 4 noble truths in one sentence, 'Sabbe sankhara dukkha, sabbe dhamma anatta'. I have devoted my life to the teachings and found out meaning behind that sentenced above. It's like this: The Absolute is dreaming the entire universe, we are scattered dreams. Dream is dukkha means you can't satisfy yourself in dream, because it's not real or temporary. When one gives up dream, individuality, one lands onto The Dreamer. Dreamer is hold as God by all philosophers, but not buddha. He says, when you awake from dream, you have vision of Dreamer, but you can't term it as me or mine. He term it Anatta. Why? Because what if, one awaken, find the Dreamer is dreaming because of loneliness or sorrow. So, you don't call him God! You give up both, the dream and dreamer. Buddha didn't said it clearly, because it doesn't lead to detachment. But, there are many saints in India, who told everything and even shouted at God, 'Are you gone mad?'. Almost every philosophy hold 'Absolute or Divine or God' in centre, but Buddhism centres on 'morality and unblemish life to caste out everything, the dream along with the dreamer'. Eventually they bound to be begger or fakir or monk live on food by begging. That's sad reality to purest life!

It's not that pleasures are bad, but that they're indifferent. Virtue is the only real good.

Homework check 📚

I already know how to be generous period it's not explaining the 4 noble truths to me period I don't understand it. I'm looking for somebody who can explain it to me. Do you know somebody like that

"Dukka" in Sinhala (Srilanka) means sadness translated literaly. දුක.

PAIN THE ORIGIN OF PAIN THE DESTRUCTION OF PAIN THE 8 FOLD HOLY WAY THAT LEADS TO THE QUIETING OF PAIN

What a wonder! Thou has forgotten thyself. Thou who were attributeless became with attributes, lost in dream. Chokha says, what a terrible wonder, "The God of god is gone mad!"__ Saint Chokhamela

i wish these videos were longer, and went into more of a deeper exsplaination but otherwise good

The main question I have as a Yogi. How can 'the Buddha' be a Buddha if there is 'No One' from whom enlightenment comes? Which means the surface conscious individual cannot become a Buddha because there is no eternal self we call Brahma. So Buddha was not Awakened. Primarily indicated by his teachings which focus on those ideas Mara would emphasize. A Jivanmukti in Turiya state would say...He who has seen me has seen Brahma. And his main teaching would exactly like what Jesus Christ (a Paramukti) said, Love the Father in Heaven with your whole heart and whole soul and whole mind. Once that becomes deeply implanted in the subconscious suffering disappears... then Pantanjali's Cloud of Virtue descends upon that person.