The Four
Noble Realities summarise the Buddhist teachings. They are usually called the Four
Noble Truths. But calling them 'Realities' not 'Truths' is better
English. (For example, "1+2=3" is a
TRUTH; but "1," "2," and "3" are REALITIES).
The Four Realities are considered
Noble because, if practised correctly, they lead to Enlightenment. They are:
1) Suffering
2) Cause of Suffering
3) End of Suffering
4) Path leading to the End of Suffering.
The Four Realities should be regarded in the following way:
1) Suffering "must be understood."
2) The cause of Suffering "must be abandoned."
3) The end of Suffering "must be realised."
4) The Eightfold Path "must be practised."
The cause of Suffering is Craving and Attachment.
The Eightfold Path begins with the practice of virtue.
Practise the Four Noble Realities for the sake of enlightenment.
Don't just talk about the Four Noble Realities: practise them!
The reason
people suffer? They
don't practise the Four Noble Realities.
Why do we suffer? Because of craving and attachment. Because we are unvirtuous. Because we don't practise the Eightfold Path.