Hwa Tsang Buddhist Monastery - Who was the Buddha?

Dharma & Meditation

Four Noble Truths

Noble Eightfold Path

Karma and Rebirth

29 Mackenzie Street, Homebush 2143 Australia

We see death around us and we avert our eyes. Yet look closely, the dead trunk of this Acacia tree provides food and life for the next generation of borers and insects. Don't we humans survive and prosper on the deaths of freshly killed chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, cattle, fish, prawns, crabs, abalone, sharks, whales, and many other creatures ? Can you escape death's sting ?


Buddha's Teachings
The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths are the foundations of the Buddha’s teachings, and the starting point for understanding the true nature of life.
How do you feel, when you can’t get what you want ? When you are separated from your loved ones, are you happy ? How do you feel when you have to associate with unpleasant people and conditions ? Is birth a time when there is no trouble for our mother and her baby ? Is anyone able to avoid sickness at some time in their life ? Can any of us avoid old age, when our body deteriorates, and our social situation changes ? Can any of us, or our family members, avoid death ? Is anyone able to avoid the sufferings of the Five Aggregates of attachment ? The Buddha thought deeply about these problems. These eight conditions cause unhappiness, dissatisfaction, pain, or suffering to all of us, (and all sentient beings), at some time in our lives. The Buddha saw that no one could avoid these troubles, and realised; (1) the Noble Truth that life is Suffering. In his own language of Pali, the Buddha collectively called these eight troubles "dukkha". The Buddha analysed how these situations create mental, and physical, suffering for us all. He recognised that our desire, and ignorance, were the causes. This is (2) the Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering.
The Buddha reasoned that by stopping our desire, and ignorance, we could end our suffering. This is (3) the Noble Truth of the End of Suffering. The Buddha then thought very carefully about the attitude, behaviour, and actions, required to avoid, or reduce, these troubles in our life. This is (4) the Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the End of Suffering. What is this path leading to the end of our suffering ? How can you find true happiness in your life ? The Buddha explained that only by practising the Noble Eightfold Path, and understanding the Law of Cause and Effect, could we find true satisfaction and contentment in our lives.