Discourse on the Four Noble Truths:
1. The noble truth of suffering: anicca (not lasting) Everything is in constant change and not lasting dukkha (suffering or discontentment) Change (a death or unpleasant circumstance) brings suffering to those who hold on to it. anatta (without self or ego-lessness) Through the idea of self brings pride, suppression, exuberance, aggression, violence and war; we can not always be positive. We can be negative or unhappy, therefore we can not always be controlled by a self.
2. The noble truth of the cause of suffering: tanha The cause of suffering is desire. We are caught up in ourselves and the things outside of ourselves.
3. The noble truth of the end of suffering: To be free of desire, break through ignorance, the illusion of a self.
4. The noble truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering The Noble Eightfold Path is the means that leads to the end of suffering:
1. Right view To be free of desire, break through ignorance, the illusion of a self.
2. Right thought to think without selfishness, anger and cruelty
3. Right speech to speak the truth, not to gossip or slander, not to use rough or harsh language and not to talk uselessly;
4. Right action not to kill or harm humans and animals, not to steal directly or indirectly, not to have pleasure at the cost of others;
5. Right livelihood to practice an honest and wholesome profession;
6. Right effort the effort to let the wholesome arise and increase, and to decrease and remove the unwholesome;
7. Right mindfulness mindfulness of that which arises in the here-and-now;
8. Right concentration to be directed and concentrated on a wholesome object or at what is taking place in the here-and-now.
Many forms of meditation are used in Buddhism to control your state of mind.
The teachings of Buddha are an ethical system determined by our motives for our actions. For those who do things with pure intentions, they will have happiness. For those do things with negative motivations or ill-will will have suffering. In Buddhism there are no commandments and therefore no guilt. You are encouraged to do good rather than harm. We are responsible for our actions and the results. This is Karma.
Karma is an important part of Buddhism. It is a law of Cause and Effect. We are the builders of our own circumstances. The Buddha says that we brought about our own circumstances. He encourages the rich to help the poor and for the poor not to give in to their situation but to work to improve their conditions. The Noble Eightfold Path will develop Morality, Concentration and Wisdom. When you arid yourself are of Karmic energy there will be no rebirth - you will be Enlightened. This is also known as Nirvana, the cessation of desire and rebirth.