The Big 4

 

There are big 4’s  existing in every industry but music it is well known from the Big 4 in Trash Metal (Anthrax, Slayer, Metallica, Megadeath)  , Big 4 in Grunge  etc.

Although the Big 4 in Trash Metal are my favorites but the big 4 I’m discussing is the Four Noble Truths described by the Buddha.

This is the most important  central teaching by the Buddha. The Four Noble Truths are,

1. Life is suffering

2. Suffering occurs due to attachment or craving 

3. Cessation of suffering is ending attachment or craving (due to ignorance)

4. The path to Cessation of suffering is noble eightfold path

The way I understand and experience the Four Noble Truths are , you feel unsatisfied with life , when you loose what you have or if you don’t have what other people have or if you are away from your family and friends.  This un satisfied feeling is caused because you crave (attached) to them. 

As the everything in the universe is impermanent and constantly changing  your life will experience this unsatisfied feeling very often.  Although it does not mean the life is does not have value.. it does.  This is the nature of the universe and all beings go through this.

The 1 & 2  will make the beings go in a never-ending cycle of  rebirth , which means more suffering.

Until Buddha discovered the 3 and 4.   By eliminating the craving/attachment the beings are able to get out the cycle of rebirth and end suffering.

For this Buddha suggested Noble Eightfold path  which I like to call the Big 8..  (in the next blog post)