♦The sum of the teaching♦
“Now this, O recluses, is the noble truth concerning suffering. Birth is
painful, and so is old age; disease is painful, and so is death. Union
with the unpleasant is painful, painful is separation from the pleasant;
and any craving that is unsatisfied, that, too, is painful....”
“Now this, O recluses, is the noble truth concerning the origin of
suffering. Verily it originates in that craving thirst which causes
the renewal of becomings, is accompanied by sensual delight, and seeks
satisfaction now here, now there--that is to say, the craving for the
gratification of the passions, or the craving for a future life, or the
craving for success in this present life.”
“Now this, O recluses, is the noble truth concerning the destruction of
suffering. Verily it is the destruction in which no craving remains
over, of this very thirst; the laying aside of, the getting rid of, the
being free from, the harbouring no longer of, this thirst.”
“Now this, O recluses, is the noble truth concerning the way which leads
to the destruction of suffering. Verily it is this Eight-fold noble
path; that is to say: Right Views, Right Aspirations, Right Speech,
Right Conduct, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right
Rapture.”
[1] From the Sermon preached at Benares to the five companions
of his hermit life upon his return after attainment of Buddha-hood.
From Prof. Rhys David’s translation, by permission.