What is Buddhism in a nutshell? What are the Four Noble Truths?
The teachings of the Buddha revolves around this central tenant known as the “Four Noble Truths”. The Four Noble Truths form the central foundation of Buddhism. So, what are the Four Noble Truths? The First Noble Truth states that “Life is Dukka”. “Dukka” is very often translated as “sufferings”, but I feel it’s a very inadequate translation. A much better translation is “Unsatisfactoriness”. Basically, the First Noble Truth states that life is unsatisfactory and imperfect. How so? All of us are subject to pain and sufferings. All of us cannot avoid disease, old age and death. We are subject to impermanence and uncertainty. Very often, we have to associate with things that are unpleasant and disassociate with things that are pleasant. All these are unsatisfactory. The Second Noble Truth explores the source of unsatisfactoriness. Why is it that our lives are unsatisfactory? The answer is within us. Our lives are unsatisfactory because of “Tanha” and “Avija”. “Tanha” is very often transl
