The Four Noble Truths

by Bhikkhu Sumedho

This small booklet was compiled and edited from talks given by Venerable Ajahn Sumedho on the central teaching of the Buddha: that the unhappiness of humanity can be overcome through spiritual means.

The teaching is conveyed through the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths, first expounded in 528 BC in the Deer Park at Sarnath near Varanasi and kept alive in the Buddhist world ever since.

Venerable Ajahn Sumedho is a bhikkhu (mendicant monk) of the Theravàda tradition of Buddhism. He was ordained in Thailand in 1966 and trained there for ten years. He is currently the Abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery as well as teacher and spiritual guide to many bhikkhus, Buddhist nuns and lay people.

This booklet has been made available through the voluntary efforts of many people for the welfare of others.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Philosophy

47 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful and excellent little book.

For both the beginner, and the seasoned Buddhist the description of the Four Noble Truths describe Buddhism's approach to a happier life. That approach too often gets lost and forgotten about in Buddhist literature. Learning to see things as impermanent, learning not to identify with your thoughts and feelings, and learning to see things just as they are.

I thought the descriptions of the first three Noble Truths were excellent, simple, clear, and useful. I thought the description of the Fourth Noble Truth, The Eight Fold Path was muddled. The book failed to simply say what each part of the Eight Fold Path was beyond the name of the part and what people do to strive towards it. Instead there are what seems to meta observations from the author, reflections on having lived it, but without tying those reflections to a context where they could be understood.

It is still an excellent book.

I would recommend it to anyone who is Buddhist or who has an interest in Buddhism.

There seem to be several editions of this book floating around on GoodReads.com.. The edition I read is about 70 pages and can be obtained for free as a PDF from buddhanet.com..

[Derek Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A succinct and easily readable summary of the heart of the Buddha's teaching, the only real weakness being a bit of a lack of examples and metaphors that could really hammer home the key points. As an introduction to the Four Noble Truths it probably also is guilty of a lack of precision which could disillusion some, i.e. it is somewhat relativistic and perhaps newcomers to the Path might find greater comfort in certainties. But Buddhism doesn't offer those, and therefore nor does this excellent book.

[Matt Snopkoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless wisdom on the nature of suffering and liberation from that suffering.

[Nona Dalman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writer explains Buddha's first teaching in simple words, which is not easy. He offers stories and personal experiences to explain the concepts of the four noble truths.

[Sankalp · Rating 4 out of 5]

You usually just find a listing of the 4 noble truths, and then you move forward. The 4 noble truths are considered the basics of Buddhism, and is often overlooked for more advanced theories. In this book, Ven. Sumedho refuses to dismiss the 4 noble truths as primitive, and instead emphasises them as the core teachings of Buddhism. Good elaboration on the truths and the insights behind them!

[Andy Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply the clearest, most practical treatment of the Four Noble Truths I’ve ever read. I’ve listened to Ajahn Sumedho’s talks for many years so that’s an advantage, but I find his direction on interpreting this famous teaching and putting it into practice to be nothing short of life changing. Anyone, Buddhist or not, can benefit.

[Renaissance Vlad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple and clear approach to understand the Four Noble Truths.

[Philosopherdog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting a grip on the four Nobel truths is key to Buddhist practice and Ajahn Sumedho brings the topic to live with a rare depth of understanding. It's succinct and well written. Highly recommended.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little booklet and terrific at introducing Buddhist ideas. Will definitely re-read this one!

[bia · Rating 4 out of 5]

as a beginner lay student, this book's approach to the truths really resonated with me. i guess this is what i needed before i dwelved into the religious texts as concrete dogmas, so i could take a step back and be reminded of what it really is all about. i appreciate the way ajahn sumedho has a repertoir of examples, thought proccesses and past experiences i can truly understand and connect to, i can relate to and grow from. i love the way he phrases things, making it a simple booklet that creates in me this spark, this intention to learn more so i can deepen my understanding of the truths, never forgetting the true roots of it all: my own reflection, my own contemplation. i hope to read more books on the practise in the future!

[Sasha Solovyev · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing little book covering the very source of the whole Buddhist teaching, explaining nuances so often overlooked and misunderstood - such as the idea that Buddhism teaches non-desire vs. what it actually teaches (reminded me of the ancient - and still practiced - Christian method of "watching thoughts").

[Ranran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let go of delusion.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book with detailed Buddhist ideas. Easily allowed me to learn more.

[Robert Terrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 out of 5 stars. Would relinquish attachment to desire and aversion again.

[Matilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a small, brilliant book, but packs so much in it. I wasn't able to take all of it in the first time reading it, so will definitely have to read again.

[Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gentle, clear, insightful, and quietly generous guide toward improved reflection.

[Michael Heggemann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be very helpful - for the first half.

In my opinion, the coverage of the first two of the Noble Truths was very succinct and understandable. If the second half of the book were the same, I would have given it four stars.

However, I found the coverage of the 2 final Noble Truths to be a bit muddled and the writing a bit more diffuse than in the first half. The second half of the book just didn't "click" for me.

Your mileage may vary.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciated the very positive and upbeat tone of the book, it felt more like listening to someone conversing with you on the subject of the truths than a book about them. This wasn't what I was looking for at this time, but it's still a good introductory read for people interested in Buddhism.

[Hilmar Laursen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfull profound insight :-)

[Jimmy Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to Buddhism.