Expert: Justin Choo - 5/9/2008

Question
The 4 noble Truth discovered by the Buddha, namely the truth, cause, ending and the way towards the ending of suffering, sound very simple. Fully understanding these 4 Noble Truth is the key towards attaining Nibbana. Please explain and elaborate on the 4 Noble Truth (and assuming that the missing link between the 4 Noble Truth and Nibbana is in the practice) and show us how to translate the teaching into daily practice and how to assess whether we have deviated from the right path.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Soo Wan,

Thank you for asking me.  Hope things are going well for you and your family.  I assume by now you are very familiar with the rendition of the Four Noble Trurhs.  Wikipedia gives a good description @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4_noble_truths

As you rightly concluded that the "missing link" is in the practice, and may I add, "in the realization and fruition".  I think it may be view as a process of "studying, understanding, realizing, practising, and fruition (results)".  Most of us have no problem with the first three steps, but when it comes to practice we are shrouded with doubts, resistance, and even fear.  Fear that we may not be practising correctingly leading to dire consequences. If we can focus on the Fourth Noble Truth and really understand its meanings, the answer to your question is found there. The Fourth Noble Truth is The Way leading to liberation.  It is stated very precisely that This Is The Path to undertake. In very simple layman's language it is in this 8-step sequence, and once the person embarks on this path, the journey becomes an 8-lane path (or highway) running parallel towards the destination.  All these 8 steps together, are to be understood, realized and practised (cultivated) at all times to achieve beneficial results. But before we can embark on the 8-lane path, we must first start from the "beginning" or shall we say the first lane.  Although this is the first lane, it is not on top of the list, but the first of the 8 lanes which are all level along the starting point, just like the racing or running tracks.  The runner in Lane One is no less capable than the others in the other lanes.  All of them are at a level playing ground..as important.  

Lane One is Right Understanding.  If a person does not understand what he is doing, then he will not be able to perform correctly.  The logical first step in doing anything is of course, Right Undertsanding or Right View.  Only when he understands, then can he Think correctly.  When one can Think correctly, one can then Say correctly.  Then he will be able to Act according.  With this basic ingredients, he can now embark on the correct Livelihood.  With his living skills planted, he then is able to make the right Effort to rise to a higher level of spiritual life, by training his mind to be Mindful of the spiritual principles that he is now practising, and paving the way for the cultivatiion of mental Concentration to achieve the ultimate goal. He is now fully conversant with the 8 tracks and cruise the highway with ease and confidence.

Actually instead of being too dogmatic, the simple way to see the light is very simple...Reduce Greed, Hatred and Delusion.  That's all.

Smile from justinchoo :-)