Dhamma means the noble teachings of the Buddha. The Buddha’s teachings are based on the understanding of the Four Noble Truths. Dukkha is a Pāli word – the closest meaning is ‘unsatisfactoriness’.

  1. Suffering (Dukkha)
  2. The cause of suffering
  3. The end of suffering
  4. The path leading to the end of suffering

When we get sick we go to a doctor. The doctor first finds our illness. He then finds out what has caused it. He decides what the cure is. Finally, he prescribes the medicine that will make us well.

The Buddha showed that there is suffering in the world in the same way. He explained the cause of suffering. He taught that this suffering could be ended. Finally, He showed the way leading to the end of suffering.

A good doctor tells us:

  1. What is wrong with us
  2. What the cause of the illness is
  3. That there is a cure for the illness
  4. What we should do to get well

The Buddha tells us the truth about:

  1. The presence of suffering
  2. The cause of suffering
  3. The end of suffering
  4. The way to end suffering

The first noble truth – suffering

There are two types of suffering:

  1. Physical suffering
  2. Mental suffering
Physical suffering

There are different types of physical suffering due to:

  • Old age
  • Illness
  • Bodily injuries
Mental suffering

Mental suffering arises from unpleasant feelings in the mind. Some examples are:

  • Sadness
  • Anger
  • Jealousy
  • Fear
  • Disappointment

These sufferings can arise due to daily interactions with people, natural disasters, or facing conflict either armed or unarmed.

The second noble truth – the cause of suffering

The main cause of suffering is selfishness, desire, and greed. People want all kinds of things and want to keep them forever. Greed is endless. If you are not mindful, you can never control greed. Too much greed only gives you suffering. It makes your life unhappy.

This can be experienced when we want to eat something that we really like all the time. We would feel anger or sadness if we don’t get it, although we know that too much of it is not good for us and might even make us ill. It is the same with watching television. Too much television will only waste our time. We have other things that we need to do that have greater importance. So, we get very upset when we are not given or cannot have any of these things.

The third noble truth – the end of suffering

Selfishness, desire, and greed must be removed to end suffering. Just as fire dies when fuel is removed, in the same way unhappiness will end when the fuel of selfishness, desire, and greed are removed. When one gets rid of selfishness, desire, and greed there will be no suffering. Our minds will be peaceful and happy.

Being happy and peaceful is called Nibbāna. It is the everlasting peace and happiness. One cannot buy Nibbāna, nor does it come automatically. One has to work hard to attain Nibbāna.

The fourth noble truth – the path leading to the end of suffering

The way to end suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path:

  1. Samma ditti (Right understanding): The correct understanding of yourself and the world.
  2. Samma sankappa (Right thought): To think in the correct way. Those with anger and greed get into trouble easily.
  3. Samma vācha (Right speech): To avoid lying, tale telling, gossiping, spiteful talk, especially about a person who is not there, idle talk, and using harsh words.
  4. Samma kammantha (Right action): Not to harm or destroy any life, not to take what does not belong to you.
  5. Samma ājiva (Right livelihood): Not to earn money in any way that would harm any living beings, such as to slaughter and sell animals. Other examples include sale of weapons, cheating others, or selling anything to make the mind drowsy such as alcohol or drugs.
  6. Samma vāyama (Right effort): To be honest and do our best to become better people and to avoid doing any bad actions by mind, body, and speech.
  7. Samma sati(Right mindfulness): To always be aware and attentive of our mind, words, and bodily actions.
  8. Samma samadhi (Right concentration): To keep the mind steady, calm, and be in the present moment (mindful) in order to see the true nature of the world clearly.
The Four Noble Truths