Buddha went through six years of inner struggle and search before he was enlightened. After his enlightenment he located his five friends who had earlier lost faith in him and had left him in disgust. Buddha convinced these five friends of his knowledge and understanding. They received his first teachings that are known as Deer Park Sermon. These five ascetics became his first disciples. His first teaching is also known as the four noble truths.

Knowledge of suffering

Origin of suffering

Removal of suffering

Way to the removal of suffering

             Suffering is also known as ‘Dukkha’. He maintained that all human experiences are intermingled with pain and human suffering. Birth, illness, decay and death are human experiences that cause suffering. We all know separation from those we love is suffering, association with those we do not like is suffering and if we desire something and are unable to get it, this causes suffering. Buddha maintained desire is the root cause of suffering. As a human being we do not have a permanent self, our experience creates an illusion that makes us believe in our permanent identity. Buddha maintains just as the flame of one candle ignites another one in the same way one experience leads to another. The Buddhist utterance that life is suffering is not a pessimistic reflection, rather they are stating a truth that was experienced by Buddha and can be understood by anyone who strives for it.

          Desire can be for sensual pleasure or material possession. Once gratification is drawn from something its novelty diminishes, then either one wants more quantity of the same object or something new and different. Therefore, happiness based on desires cannot last forever because desires are unending. When one desire is fulfilled then another evolves. This is an endless cycle. Buddha concluded that happiness based on desires cannot last for long and will be followed by pain. Recognition of this human condition is necessary for personal growth according to Buddhism.

          The second noble truth is origin of suffering. The whole world is in a constant state of flux; it is ever changing. According to Buddhism happiness and unhappiness are part of our lives and one follows the other. The desire to keep life the way it is right now causes suffering. This becomes a struggle that cannot be won. It keeps us deluded from the essence of life. Desire or craving enhances attachment. Attachment can be of various kinds. It could be attachment with a person, with possessions and pleasures and non-association with undesired people. Such situations became reason for suffering in our life.

          The third noble truth is removal of suffering. Buddhism talks about recognition of suffering which is constituted of impermanence and no permanent self. This is a unique concept that human beings are composed of a series of energy flashes and they are connected with the rest of the humans with the same energy field. Greed, hatred and delusion are the by products of craving. Therefore, letting go of craving or desire is very important. Hence Buddha says when desire is removed then suffering is also eliminated. It is only thereafter a person understands the real meaning of life and reaches enlightenment.

          In the fourth noble truth he described the Eightfold path and suggested that by following it one can get rid of suffering. This means life led by concentration, morality and insight will be free of suffering.