Page 167 - Popular Deities of Chinese Buddhism (Illustrated) and Symbols
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of life itself. is Middle Way of self-conquest which leads to
a complete cessation of suffering and sorrow, which is Nirvana,
the ultimate goal of Buddhists is known as the Noble Eightfold
Path, which consists of:
1. Right Understanding
2. Right ought
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
Understanding the meaning of the Four Noble Truths is essen-
tial to cultivation otherwise the essence of the Buddha’s teaching
will be lost.
e First Noble Truth of Suffering reveals to us that everyone
is subject to birth, consequently decay, then disease and finally
death. No one is exempted from these four causes of suffering.
Birth is suffering, decay is suffering, disease is suffering, death is
suffering, to be associated with things or persons one detests is
suffering, to be separated fron the pleasant is suffering and not
to get what one desires is also suffering.
Buddhism may put much emphasis on the under standing of
suffering but it does not follow that it is a pessimistic religion.
It is neither totally pessimistic nor totally optimistic, it teaches
