For Sidhartha moving through the cycle of the wheel of life and death was suffering, and only finding the center, understanding the oneness of everything can lead to enlightenment. Four Nobel Truths
- Life is suffering
- The origin of this suffering is our attachment
- The cessation of suffering is attainable
- The path to the cessation of suffering - is in finding balance through the 8 fold way:
- Right View - to understand things as they really are, in flux and temporary
- Right Intention - commit to positive change in oneself, ethical action, eternal curiosity and compassion
- Right Speech - tell the truth, be respectful, warm, and gentle and talk only when necessary
- Right Action - abstain from harming sentient beings
- Right Livelihood - one should earn one's living in a righteous way
- Right Effort - in order to gain anything you must first loose everything
- Right Mindfulness - consciousness, awareness anchored in clear perception: four foundations of mindfulness: 1. contemplation of the body, 2. contemplation of feeling (repulsive, attractive, or neutral), 3. contemplation of the state of mind, and 4. contemplation of the phenomena.
- Right Concentration - state where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object, emotion, action, concept, idea, or being. Living in the present moment.
The understanding of the way things are comes from within.
It is up to each of you to become the enlightened one.
Why was it necessary for the Buddha to demand that the 5 ascetics address him as one who is enlightened?
