The Four Noble Truths and The Eight-fold Path

The essence of Buddha's teachings can also be described through the four noble truths. They are:

The truth of suffering (unsatisfactory experiences)
The cause of suffering (it is in our own mind)
The cessation of suffering and its causes (suffering is caused by disturbing attitudes and negative emotions)
The path to cessation (The path to realize reality and increase our good qualities is called the path of the Three Higher Trainings

The Path to the Three Higher Trainings that can increase our good qualities can also be further subdivided into the Eight-fold Path. I have tried to simplify and explain it as clearly as possible below. From what I understand, the four noble truths are another way to describe the essence of Buddhism and what its beliefs are about. These truths, which confirm that there IS suffering in the world, and this suffering is caused by our false views on reality, all lead to the exploration on how to stop suffering. The way to stop suffering is through the Path of Cessation, and to discover the path of cessation, one must undergo the Three Higher Trainings first. We can train our mind and bodies using the Eightfold path, which I find, is a more practical guide on how to approach the path to enlightenment.

The Three Higher Trainings

• becoming a good human being who functions well in society and lives harmoniously with others.

• taming the mind by developing single-pointed concentration now that our speech and actions are calmer

• leads us to cut the root of suffering which is the ignorance in grasping at the inherent existence so that reality is perceived for what it really is 

• right speech- true, kind, and appropriate speech

• right activity- actions which do not harm ourselves and others 

• right livelihood- obtaining our subsistence, food and clothes etc by non-harmful, honest means.

• right effort-to counteract the disturbing attitudes and negative emotions by meditating on the path

• right mindfulness-counteracting carelessness and excitement in our meditation

• right samadhi-mind that can remain fixedly on one point or virtuous n

• right view- wisdom realizing emptiness

• right thought- the mind that can explain the path clearly to others and is motivated by the wish for them to be free of suffering

1.) The Higher Training of Ethical Discipline

2.) The Higher Training of Meditative Stablilization

3.) The Higher Training in Wisdom

We can train ourselves to achieve enlightenment and launch ourselves on the path to the cessation of suffering by using the Eight-fold Path as our guide. 

In order to train ourselves in Ethical Discipline, we can practice 

In order to train ourselves in Meditative Stabilization, we can practice 

In order to train ourselves in Wisdom, we can practice 

From what I understand from all of this, we need to take everything really slow, dear reader, and go one step at a time. So in the next few weeks, I will break down the eight-fold path and also bring in my own reflections and learnings as I continue on with my reading of the book. Please feel free to ask any questions, share your opinion or give me any advice, or even make any correction to what I have posted. I look forward to hearing from you!