The Four Noble Truths in Relation to the Eightfold Path
The Buddha laid down the rules of self healing and called it the fourth noble truth of the path. Yet, in order to comprehend the eightfold path, one must understand the first three noble truths.
The first noble truth is suffering. One must understand three characteristics of existance: life is everchanging, insubstantial, and unknowing. One must take themselves out of a distorted view upon life.
The second noble truth is cause of suffering. Buddha said the cause of such sufferings is desire and attachment.
The third noble truth is the end of suffering. Buddha believed one could experience release from such sufferings with an idea called nirvana. One must endure selfish cravings. Nirvana takes one's state of ming to a peaceful outlook upon things.
The fourth noble truth is the Eightfold Path.
The last three steps:right effort, right mindfulness, and right state of mind, all fall under meditation. It is said that meditation deals with getting to knoww what things are really are.
The first step in the path is right understanding.This means one must have understood the first two noble truths to get to the state of Nirvana. One must understand they are responsible for their own lives. One must also understand how they live and how it affects others.
The eighth step, right state of mind, is where one now has a greater appreciation of life. One knows the insubstantial ways of life and is filled with enlightenment.
Throughout his life, Buddha observed the right and wrongs. He also received much knowledge. Buddha believed that anyone could reach enlightenment. By followind these few steps
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