What is the importance of the four noble truths and the eightfold paths?

Answer 1

The four Nobel truths explain why human suffer while the eightfold path offers a way to overcome that suffering.

Answer 2

The Four Noble Truths, which include the Eightfold Path, describe the true nature of existence, and the means to live in harmony with that nature.

By tradition, the preaching of the Four Noble Truths was the first sermon given by the Buddha, after he became the Awakened One.

It could be said that The Four Noble Truths, and what they infer, are Buddhism itself. There are many traditions, schools, sects of Buddhism, but the Four Noble Truths are acknowledged in all of them, because they are foundational. They describe why Buddhism is needed, and what constitutes the essence of the practice of Buddhism. There may be various practices and ideas within Buddhism, but they are merely different expressions of the essence as expressed in the Four Noble Truths.

Answer 3

The Four Noble Truths describe the true nature of existence, and the path to living in harmony with that nature. The teaching of the Four Noble Truths was the first sermon given by the Buddha after he became enlightened. This first teaching is called "Setting the Wheel of Dharma in motion". It was given by him to his four friends that he was practicing asceticism with before he became enlightened and all four were at once convinced of its truths.

Therefore, the Four Noble Truths are the core of Buddhism. It represents, at the highest level, what we beleive and what we strive for.

Answer 4

The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are the core of Buddhism. The Four Noble Truths state the condition under which we live (suffering) the causes of this suffering and the path out of suffering. The Eightfold path are the Buddha's proscribed method to reach that state on non-suffering.

So without these there is no Buddhism.

Answer 5

All the teachings of the Buddha can be tied in to the Four Noble Truths.

When the Buddha was preparing for his final passing (parinibbana), he said that in his forty-five years of teaching, he had taught nothing other than the Four Noble Truths.

Answer 6

The Four Noble Truths outline a process to overcome suffering. They are primary to the Buddha's teachings, and therefore about as important as the Beatitudes in Christianity, or perhaps even the Ten Commandments.

One translation of the Four Noble Truths:

1. There is suffering. We must accept that suffering is real, and that it exists within each person, even if they misidentify what that suffering is.
2. There is identification of suffering. We are capable of knowing the source and means of what causes us to suffer. Identifying these helps with overcoming suffering.
3. There is removal of suffering. In many cases, we are completely capable of overcoming the things that cause us to suffer, so that we may live happier lives which are more fruitful and satisfying.
4. There is no suffering. When suffering is removed, no suffering remains. This might seem obvious, but without stating it, people may believe that there is no release from suffering. In addition, understanding that not all painful experiences are suffering can help us to get through difficult times much faster.

The Four Noble Truths are a way to observe the things inside of us that knock us off balance, so that we can return to balance by addressing what is causing us stress, pain, grief, and so on.

In many respects, this is considered to be similar to modern psychology.

Answer 7

The four noble truths and the eight paths are the foundation for the Buddhism. The four noble truths make us aware about the truth of life. We can see that the big reason for human sufferings are his desires. The four noble truths and the eight paths give us better images of the world and give us a direction how we can change the world to be a better place to live for mankind. The eightfold path of Buddha is helps us to live in true and peaceful life. They help us to make a good human being.

Answer 8

They are connected by the suffering and the absence of suffering.