The Four Noble Realities

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.