“The cessation of suffering—well-being—is available if you know how to enjoy the precious jewels you already have. You have eyes that can see, lungs that can breathe, legs that can walk and lips that can smile. When you are suffering, look deeply at your situation and find the conditions for happiness that are already there, already available.” —p.41
Buddhism is a religion that dates
back 2,500 years when Buddha himself, Siddhartha Guatama Buddha, was
enlightened at the age of 35. (White)
Although Buddhism is a religion, it is considered to be just a way of
life for some people. There are ethics
deep within the Buddhist beliefs that promote morals, mindfulness of the body
and mind as well as the development and growth of one’s understanding and
knowledge. (White) These beliefs are
thought to ultimately lead to a life of happiness, peace and joy. Buddhists believe that by living in
accordance with the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Eightfold Path’ you can
eventually reach enlightenment and in the process end suffering. This is exactly what Buddhism has taught me;
each and every one of us holds the power to rid our lives of suffering.
The ‘Four Noble Truths’ include
suffering, the arising of suffering, the cessation of suffering (well-being),
and how well-being arises. Each of the
four noble truths is comprised of three turnings of the Dharma wheel. In order
to understand and experience these fours noble truths, you must know that
practicing each of the twelve turnings of the Dharma wheel is necessary. The turnings of suffering consist of
recognizing that there is suffering, encouraging that suffering should be
understood and realizing that suffering is understood.(Nhá̂t, 30) The three turnings of the arising of
suffering include the recognition that there is a dishonorable way that has led
to suffering, encouragement that the dishonorable way should be understood and lastly
the realization that the dishonorable way be understood. (Nhá̂t, 30) The three turnings of the cessation of
suffering are the recognition that well-being is possible, the encouragement
that well-being be attained and the realization that well-being is
attained. (Nhá̂t, 30) Lastly, the three turnings of
how well-being arises consist of recognition that there is a noble path that
leads to well-being, encouragement that the noble path has to be lived and the
realization that the noble path is being lived. This noble pathway is called the ‘Eightfold Path’.
(Nhá̂t, 30)
The ‘Eightfold Path’ includes
practicing right-view, right thinking, right speech, right action, right
livelihood, right diligence (right effort), right mindfulness, and right
concentration. First, right view is a deep understanding of one’s suffering and
knowing that it can be changed or transformed. (Nhá̂t, 51)
Right thinking reflects the way things really are and has the power to bring
your body and mind back together as one. (Nhá̂t, 59) Right mindfulness is the true heart of
Buddhist teachings. It is “...the energy that brings us back to the present
moment.”(Nhá̂t,
64)
Right speech includes speaking truthfully, not speaking with a “forked
tongue” and not speaking cruelly. (Nhá̂t, 85) Right action is handling the body with
mindfulness. This includes never causing
harm and practicing non-violence to all. (Nhá̂t, 94) Right diligence is putting your energy to
things that encompass the eightfold path but not too deeply so that you are
taken away from reality. Right
concentration is to obtain evenness in your mind. (Nhá̂t, 105) Right livelihood means to conduct yourself in such
a way that you are not giving up your morals of love and compassion to make a
living. (Nhá̂t,
113)
Everyone experiences suffering in
their life, it is necessary. By practicing the ‘Four
Noble Truths’ and the ‘Eightfold Path’ Buddhists believe you have the ability
to put an end to the suffering in your life.
As the Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching states, “The cessation of
suffering—well-being—is available if you know how to enjoy the precious jewels
you already have. You have eyes that can see, lungs that can breathe, legs that
can walk and lips that can smile. When you are suffering, look deeply at your
situation and find the conditions for happiness that are already there, already
available.” (Nhá̂t,
41) It doesn’t matter how much or
how little a person owns or the circumstances they may have in their
lives. Everyone can find good in their
life and immerse themselves into the path to enlightenment. Only by following the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and
the ‘Eightfold Path’ can one ultimately end the suffering in their life.
The 'Four Noble Truths' and the 'Eightfold Path' are both things that I want to encompass into my own life. Everyone has suffering. I have experienced a great deal of suffering and loss of loved ones very dear to me. I feel that the Buddhist teachings take a unique approach to recognizing and dealing with suffering. I know what it feels like to be in so much pain that you feel like you can't move on from the suffering that you are experiencing. Just as the Buddhists preach, if you look at all of the good things in your life you can find happiness present. You can find happiness even if you have lost so much. Buddhism has taught me that this is important to always remember.
The 'Four Noble Truths' and the 'Eightfold Path' are both things that I want to encompass into my own life. Everyone has suffering. I have experienced a great deal of suffering and loss of loved ones very dear to me. I feel that the Buddhist teachings take a unique approach to recognizing and dealing with suffering. I know what it feels like to be in so much pain that you feel like you can't move on from the suffering that you are experiencing. Just as the Buddhists preach, if you look at all of the good things in your life you can find happiness present. You can find happiness even if you have lost so much. Buddhism has taught me that this is important to always remember.
I fully believe that by
understanding and practicing the ‘Four Noble Truths’ and the ‘Eightfold Path’
you then have the ability to end the suffering that is burdening your life,
both body and mind. No matter how bad
life may seem there is always goodness present.
You just need to be aware of the goodness and understand it. One must be present, mindful and moral to
achieve this. The Buddhist teachings can put you on the path to a more peaceful, joyous and happier life.
Works Cited
Nhá̂t, Hạnh. The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching: Transforming
Suffering into Peace, Joy & Liberation : The Four Noble Truths, the Noble
Eightfold Path, and Other Basic Buddhist Teachings. New York: Broadway,
1999. Print.
White, Brian. "A Basic Buddhism Guide: 5 Minute
Introduction." A Basic Buddhism Guide: 5 Minute Introduction.
BDEA/BuddhaNet, 1993. Web. 02 Apr. 2013.
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