The Four Foundational Teachings of the Buddha

A SUCCINCT EXPLANATION OF THE BUDDHIST PATH

Photo by Conscious Design

In his approximately 60-ish years of wandering and teaching, the Buddha taught that there were four universal truths about reality and humankind’s relationship to it:

1. Suffering -better translated as ‘dissatisfaction’- is inevitable for us all

2. Our dissatisfaction arises from two primary sources -desiring more of what’s pleasurable and avoiding what makes us uncomfortable.

3. Spoiler…there is a way out of the suffering/dissatisfaction we experience

4. The way forward is following a mindful path that leads to freedom from suffering/dissatisfaction

Over the centuries, these foundational teachings have been influenced by world cultures and become known as the Four Noble Truths. I’ll explain them briefly below.

Noble Truth #1 - Suffering / Dissatisfaction