A. The four noble truths are words that show what Buddhism, the Buddha’s teaching is. They are dukkha, attachment, extinction and way. Put briefly, dukkha means that nothing is permanent and that everything is in the middle of ceaseless change, whether it is good, or bad.
Attachment means being anxious to keep someone, or something and being unhappy without them. Our unhappiness begins with a mind to keep impermanent things permanently. This is why attachment is referred to as the source of our unhappiness.
There are two interpretations of extinction and way. Firstly, extinction implies removing our attachment through realising that everything is empty, and way means enlightenment that is attained as a result of extinction. Secondly, way signifies not an end but a means, a kind of practice to remove, extinguish attachment through eight right ways, and extinction can be achieved through the course of way.
©Boo Ahm
All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway
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