World Religions

Introduction to World Religions Study Guide

7. Bodhisattvas 8. Heavenly beings 9.

©2018 Achieve Page 31 of 96 Srvaka: Disciples of Buddha 10. Pratyeka: A Buddha for himself A skilled Buddhist can attain rebirth in a higher heaven. These are known as non-returners. Rebirths in the formless realms can be attained by those whomeditate on the arupajhanas, which is the highest form of meditation. In East Asian and Tibetan Buddhism, there is another state, an intermediate state, called “Bardo”. Bardo is between one life and the next. 4.3 The Four Noble Truths Buddha wanted to find out the cause of suffering. Through his enlightenment, he came to know the causes of suffering and the solution. The teaching of the Four Noble Truths is central to the teachings of Buddhism. The four truths explain the nature of the dukkha. The dukkha is suffering, anxiety, and dissatisfaction; the root causes; and how it can be overcome. The First Noble Truth The first truth is that life is suffering. This is the nature of the dukkha and the reason for the first truth. Dukkha is commonly translated as “suffering”. It can also be anxiety, dissatisfaction, and unease. The suffering can be physical or mental illness. It can also be growing old and dying. Included in suffering are disease, fear, embarrassment, disappointment, and anger. The anxiety and stress can be an attempt to hold on to a changing world. Dissatisfaction may arise from the fact that all forms of life are impermanent and constantly changing. The first truth is realistic. Buddhism works to explain how suffering can be avoided and how individuals can be truly happy. The Second Noble Truth The second noble truth addresses the fact that most suffering can be caused by desire, such as craving and aversion. Humans suffer when they expect others to conform to their expectations. Buddha emphasized that getting what one wants does not bring happiness. Rather than always trying to get what one desires, individuals should modify their wanting. Wanting deprives people of contentment. The desire (dukkha) is one of ignorance of the truth and the true nature of things. The craving is powerful and the desire to exist can cause the person to be reborn, and therefore, may cause suffering. The Third Noble Truth The third truth is that the suffering of man can be overcome. This is the path to real happiness. The person must give up cravings and seek to live every day, not dwelling on the past or seeking the future. The person needs to have more time and energy to help others, which is referred to as “nirvana”. The Fourth Noble Truth The Fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eightfold Path , is the path to being moral and the cessation of the rebirth.