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Ethical Significance of The Four Noble Truths in The Buddhist Tradition

Buddhism is an ethical religion whose beliefs and customs are pegged on the teachings of the Buddha. The various scriptures of Buddhism talk about the importance of virtues such as compassion and non-violence. One of the foundational basis of Buddhist ethics is the Dharma. In specific, the first sermon of Buddha saw him turn the wheel of the Dharma by providing the doctrinal expression of the truth about things in reality (Anderson, 2013). In this discourse, the Buddha set out Noble Truths with the last Noble Truth containing the Noble Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path has the visions of morality (Sila), meditation (Samadhi) and insight (Prajna). The Four Noble Truths are an expression of one of the Buddhists central worldview which is the existence of the world as both an unsatisfactory and stressful place (Kanaparthy and Rani, 2017). Duhkha (universal suffering) is viewed as a product of craving. However, putting an end to craving can result in Nirvana (liberation). The Four Noble Truths have a significant role to play in ethics as they set the standards which can be used by believers to determine whether an action is ethical and unethical. For instance, from the Four Noble Truths, an action is ethical if it seeks to eliminate Dukkha (Gunaratna, 1968). From the Buddhist traditions pegged on the Four Noble Truths, actions are moral if they promote the spiritual development by conforming to the Eightfold Path which leads to Nirvana and thus significant in promoting ethical behaviors and practices. This paper provides a discussion of the ethical significance of the Four Noble Truths.

1. Life Is Duhkha (Suffering)

In this first noble truth, Buddhism holds that life is full of suffering and pain. In every aspect of the conditioned existence of people; whether in birth or death, they will experience grief, pain, distress, and even despair which results from people not getting what they want (Anderson, 2013). According to Buddha, life is not ideal as it frequently fails to match up to the expectations of people. Additionally, this Noble Truth holds that human beings are subject to both their desires and cravings. However, even when people have the ability to satisfy those desires, they do so temporarily (Kanaparthy and Rani, 2017). The teaching of the Buddha; in this first Noble Truth, is that pleasures do not last and if they do, then they become monotonous. Even when people suffer from some sort of illnesses or even bereavement, they feel both unfulfilled and unsatisfied and this becomes the truth of suffering. According to Anderson (2013), even the things that people view as precious and enjoyable are still Dukkha because they will at some time come to an end. Related to the nature of life is the concept of self. In specific, people should first understand themselves before they understand life. More specifically, they should evaluate whether they are also temporary, conditional, and compounded by many parts.

The First Noble Truth in the Buddhist tradition has an instrumental ethical significance. In specific, the Noble Truth underscores the fact that Buddhism is neither pessimistic nor optimistic but rather realistic. Additionally, Gunaratna (1968) state that Buddhism looks at the world not only in reality but also objectively. The ethical significance of such propositions is that people are taught as a matter of morality to have an objective view of things and not be lured into living in a fool’s paradise whereby they are frightened and agonized with all forms of imaginary fears and sins (Kanaparthy and Rani, 2017). The noble truth tells people exactly what they are and what the world around them is. Additionally, it shows and indeed demonstrates the way that people can attain patience, freedom, peace, and tranquility as well as happiness (Anderson, 2013). Buddhist’s believers can use the teachings in this First Noble Truth to understand that the events that they undergo are temporary and thus endure the various sufferings knowing that it will end at some point. This Noble Truth emphasizes the ethical aspect of objectivity, realism, and patience by believers because; whether in happiness or suffering as all those things are temporary. This Noble Truth encourages people to remain moral and ethical and act with patience intelligence, determination, as well as energy.

2. The Cause of Duhkha (Suffering) Is Trishna/Tanha (Desire)

In this Second Noble Truth, the Buddha teaches that the cause of suffering is thirst and desire. As such, people are the architects of their own suffering. Notably, the three ultimate causes of suffering are stated in this Noble Truth as greed and desire, ignorance and delusion, and hatred and destructive urges (Anderson, 2013). These elements of desire and selfishness are the ones which create havoc for man as craving can never be completely satisfied. In specific, craving calls for further craving in the attempt to quench people’s thirsts. The power and danger of craving are responsible for almost all the ills in the world. The other aspect which has been taught in this Second Noble Truth as the cause of suffering is ignorance (Gunaratna, 1968). In specific, ignorance is related to the failure of individuals to view the world as it actually is. With the ignorance of the real-world, Buddhists explain that an individual will be left undeveloped and unable to grasp the true nature of things. Moreover, according to Anderson (2013), some of the vices of craving/greed, hatred, and anger are pegged on the ignorance of people about the realities of the world. These teachings about the causes of suffering have an ethical significance to Buddhists.

The ethical role of this Second Noble Truth is that it dissuades believers of the Buddhists teachings and traditions from cravings as well as thirsts and desires which are the primary causes of evil. Once craving has been seen as the greatest motivating factor back and behind all actions which are seen in a deluded man, the ethical significance is that people should dissert their craving behaviors which are the primary causes of suffering (Gunaratna, 1968). Since the cause of the various evils in the society; whether in the form of crime or political upheavals are cravings, desires, and greed, then people are encouraged through this Noble Truth to lead in ways which are devoid of greed (Kanaparthy and Rani, 2017). The teaching encourages people to be satisfied with what they have and avoid aspects which might lead them to cravings which will lead to their suffering. Since the cause of Dukkha is within the Dukkha itself, then they have to take moral actions which will lead to the cessation and destruction of suffering. Moreover, the Noble Truth promotes ethical behavior especially in all realms of social life by discouraging the attachment to self-pleasures, wealth, and power as well as greed and desire.

3. To Eliminate Duhkha One Must Eliminate Tanha

            According to the teachings of Buddhist, the Third Noble Truth is that of the cessation of Dukkha. In specific, if one seeks to eliminate the main causes of suffering, then various actions have to be taken. This Third Noble Truth provides hope that there is liberation, emancipation, and freedom from suffering. One of the actions which should be taken in liberating oneself from suffering is detaching from the various cravings, desires, and pleasures. One of the crucial concepts in this Noble Truth is that of Nirvana. According to Anderson (2013), Nirvana refers to attainment which can be found by reaching enlightenment. When people extinguish the three fires of greed, hatred, and delusion from their lives, then they achieve Nirvana. Nirvana is a state of profound spiritual joy devoid of any negative emotions and fears. The Buddha dissuades people from inquiring too much about Nirvana but rather encourages them to focus on how they can free themselves from the cycle of suffering.

            The significance of this Noble Truth in terms of ethics is that it promotes the moral behavior of people by asking them to seek liberation from their evils/sufferings by abandoning some of their evil ways. People are encouraged not to stop believing that they will one day get out of their cycles of suffering which is temporary (Kanaparthy and Rani, 2017). On the contrary, they should still believe that the end of the “hamster-wheel chase” will come after they have been enlightened in the state of Nirvana. According to the Buddha, when an ego arises, there is suffering; however; when there is a cessation of ego, then suffering ceases to exist (Gunaratna, 1968). As a result, people are encouraged to behave ethically by following the right paths which will make them free from suffering. For the sinners, this Third Noble Truth seeks to encourage them that they can liberate themselves from their suffering if they accept to reach Nirvana which is a state of rebirth and spiritual enlightenment.

4. The Way to Eliminate Tanha Is to Follow the Noble Eightfold Path

This Fourth Noble Truth provides a path which leads to the cessation of Dukkha. The path has been termed as the “Middle Path” as on one hand, it avoids the debasing of indulgence of the sensualist and the laxity of pleasure-seeking while, on the other hand, it avoids the absurdities associated with austerities and the self-mortification of the religious fanatics (Bodhi, 1984). The Path is not only that of reason but also prudence. The ingredients of the Noble Eightfold Path which can lead to the spiritual emancipation of individuals include the right understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Actions, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration (Anderson, 2013). The right factors fall into the categories of virtues, concentration, and wisdom. The virtue category is a moral discipline which advocates for the purity of conduct while the other aspects call for concentration only on the right things.

The Noble Eightfold Path is ethically significance in providing believers with a framework which they can use to eliminate suffering and reach Nirvana. Believers of the Buddhists tradition are encouraged to follow an ethical conduct path which entails them taking the right actions, making the right speeches (avoiding abusive languages), and leading the right livelihoods (Bodhi, 1984). The ethical behavior of caring for others is promoted in this Fourth Noble Truth as people are called upon to take care of their speech actions and their daily lives so that they do not harm others. Moreover, according to Kanaparthy and Rani (2017), people are encouraged to cultivate wholesomeness in their lives by ensuring that they follow the Eightfold Path which will lead to the elimination of Tanha. Just like a raft is used to cross a river, the Eightfold Path can be used by Buddhists believers to as a means of enlightenment to move from their sinful ways to ethical and moral actions.

In conclusion, the Four Noble Truths in the Buddhist tradition coupled with the Eightfold Paths are significant in promoting ethical behaviors and practices. The first Noble Truth of Dukkha teaches that life is full of suffering which is temporary. The ethical significance of such a teaching is to encourage believers to be patient in suffering knowing that it is temporary and they will come out of it. In the Second Noble Truth, the cause of suffering is stated to be cravings, desire, and greed. As such, this Noble Truth shows people that their actions of desire, hatred, and craving for things is the major cause of suffering and they should not blame others. In the Third Noble Truth, people are encouraged to eliminate suffering by eliminating their carvings and desires. The ethical significance of such a teaching is that it encourages people to leave their evil ways and seek to follow other rightful ways which are devoid of suffering. People are given the choice between the good and bad things. Finally, on the Fourth Notable Truth, the Eightfold Path is provided which can be used to reach Nirvana. The Eightfold Paths are key in promoting ethical behaviors as they underscore the importance of the Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Actions, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration in reaching Nirvana.