Definition of Four Noble Truths

Buddhism is a religious trend founded on the teachings of Siddharta Gautama, the Buddha. The four noble truths are the fundamental principles of this doctrine. According to the sacred texts Buddha left the palace where he lived sheltered to start a pilgrimage.

On his way he observed a person who was ill, a old man and a deceased person. This reality made him think that the world has an essential component, suffering. He decided that it was necessary to think about what should be the cause that triggers the suffering in its different versions.

The four noble truths are the conclusions reached by the Buddha during his meditation

The first truth holds that life is permeated with suffering or dukkha. This implies realizing that it is practically impossible to think about the existence of someone or something without associating it with different forms of suffering.

The origin of the dukkha constitutes the second noble truth. Thus, our passions and attachment to life is the force that pushes us to suffering.

If we can turn away from worldly desires that lead us to suffering, we will have reached the third noble truth

The extinction of passions and desires in turn implies obtaining nirvana.

The fourth noble truth consists in realizing the path that leads to the cessation of suffering and the conquest of nirvana. This path is followed when the thought, the language and the actions we take are on the straight path. In Buddhism the idea of ​​the straight path implies that we avoid opposite extremes in all dimensions of existence.

Happiness in Buddhism

In a language colloquial We could say that the four noble truths are the way to happiness. In Buddhism, being happy is not related to the satisfaction of desires or the obtaining of material objects, since this interpretation of happiness is unstable and fleeting.

For Buddhists, the source of unhappiness is in our mind. If we are mentally debased, we will feel pain. In the same way, if we achieve a clean mind and away from suffering, we will be oriented towards spiritual fulfillment.

On synthesis, the peace inner or nirvana is what helps us to detach ourselves from the bonds of pleasure and pain. The state of happiness is not something magical, but must be trained with a series of vital attitudes: not taking things too seriously, accepting things as they are and avoiding anger.

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