THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
The Buddha’s first teaching was a set of four truths about life and the way to enlightenment. Known as the Four Noble Truths, they form the foundation of all other Buddhist teaching.
Life is Suffering
The summation of our existence is suffering. Birth, sickness, old age, and death are suffering. Emotions such as sadness, loneliness, or depression are suffering, and even momentary pleasures such as happiness and love ultimately lead to suffering.
Suffering is Caused by Desires
Desire and craving for food, popularity, money, beauty, peace, health, or anything else will cause a person to suffer, because the person will realize that everything they desire is temporary and cannot produce true freedom and happiness.
Suffering is Extinguished by Extinguishing Desires
When one is finally able to extinguish all desires, cravings, and emotions within oneself, then suffering will cease.
Desires are Extinguished by Following the Noble Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path is a formula for a person to end all desires in his or her life. The eight elements are divided into three ways of practice: good conduct, mental development, and wisdom.