Four Noble Truths

Buddha’s Teaching As It Is –
Lecture 2: Four Noble Truths Bhikkhu Bodhi

PowerPoint presentation on Bhikkhu Bodhi’s
recorded lectures on ‘Buddha’s Teaching As It Is’.
Materials for the presentation are taken from the
recorded lectures (MP3) posted at the website of
Bodhi Monastery and the notes of the lectures
posted at beyondthenet.net
Originally prepared to accompany the playing of

Bhikkhu Bodhi’s recorded lectures on ‘Buddha’s Teaching
As It is’ in the Dharma Study Class at PUTOSI Temple,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
This series of weekly study begins in November, 2010.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS
– BHIKKHU BODHI
Part I
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE
DHAMMA
Salient feaures of Dhamma
Many shades of meaning

The Buddha's teaching is called the Dhamma. The word
'Dhamma' has several shades of meaning . In the most
basic sense ' Dhamma' signifies the true nature of
things. Dhamma is the fundamental element of
lawfulness operating in the universe, structuring all
events, all experience and all phenomena.
All actual things, all phenomena are called dhammas in

the plural because all of them embody the true nature of
things.
Dhamma also means the ethical law, the fundamental

principle of righteousness, the cosmic law of virtue and
goodness
Dhamma also has a practical sense, something applicable
to our own life. Dhamma is that which sustains us ,
which supports us, or which upholds our own effort to live
in virtue and goodness. In this sense Dhamma is the
path.
On the one hand it is the lower path of virtue, on the
other, Dhamma is the Supramundane path, the higher
path that leads to realization of the true nature of things.
The Buddha's teaching is called the Dhamma, because
this teaching makes known the true nature of things -
discloses the true nature of all existence.
SIGNIFICANCE OF ‘FOUR’,
‘NOBLE’ ‘TRUTHS’
THE FIRST NOBLE TRUTH -
DUKKHA
– BHIKKHU BODHI
Part II
FIRST NOBLE TRUTH – DUKKHA;
WHY IS IT TAUGHT?
EXISTENCE AS IT IS – REAL HAPPINESS
Existence As It Is – Real
Happiness
II. SECOND NOBLE TRUTH – ORIGIN OF
DUKKHA
Second Noble Truth – Origin:
Craving
CRAVING -THE ORIGIN OF SUFFERING
Now we have to see how craving originates Dukkha. The

causal role of craving can be seen at two levels - a
psychological level and a universal or cosmic level.
Psychological level
We find that craving is the underlying root of unhappiness,
sorrow, grief, fear, worry, and disapointment. Craving gives
rise to sorrow when we are separated from the persons or
things we are attached to. Also it gives rise to fear, we
become afraid of losing what we
have obtained, we are afraid that people might reject us or
that circumstances might separate us.
There are several stages in the psychological process by
which craving leads to Dukkha. They are as follows:
(a) The very moment craving arises it brings along with it a

feeling of dissatisfaction.
This arises due to the contrast between one's present state of
lack-of oneself without the object-and the possibility of
fulfilling oneself by possession of the object. This is the
Dukkha of striving and seeking.
(b) In the enjoyment of the object

The enjoyment of the object is accompanied by the suffering
of protection. Once we get an object we have to protect it.
(c) Loss of the object

With the break up of an object or loss of a loved one there is
suffering of deprivation.
Second Noble Truth – Origin:
Craving
If we examine our mind carefully we find that simply
yielding to desire brings us only temporary satisfaction,
which actually fuels the force of craving.
Craving arises more strongly in the future. We need more
money, more pleasure, more power. Thus it brings a
stronger inner dissatisfaction.
This is the way craving becomes the origin of suffering at
the
psychological level.
SECOND NOBLE TRUTH – CAUSE: CRAVING
Cosmic level
At a deeper level, craving is the force which fuels the round

of rebirth, samsara. Craving uses the body as a means of
finding delight.
At death the body can no longer support consciousness, but

the craving remains. Therefore, It latches onto a new body
as the
physical form and brings about rebirth, and the new
existence provides the base of craving.
In this way it originates Dukkha over and over again.

THIRD NOBLE TRUTH - CESSATION
FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS – ACTIONS

Four Noble Truths

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Buddha’s Teaching As It Is –

Lecture 2: Four Noble Truths Bhikkhu Bodhi

Originally prepared to accompany the playing of

Many shades of meaning

All actual things, all phenomena are called dhammas in

Dhamma also means the ethical law, the fundamental

Now we have to see how craving originates Dukkha. The

(a) The very moment craving arises it brings along with it a

(b) In the enjoyment of the object

(c) Loss of the object

At a deeper level, craving is the force which fuels the round

At death the body can no longer support consciousness, but

In this way it originates Dukkha over and over again.

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