Toh 316The Sūtra on the Four Truths

AN EXPOSITION OF THE SŪTRA ON THE FOUR NOBLE PATHS

Background

The Sūtra on the Four Noble Paths (Catuḥsatyasūtra) is one of the core scriptures of Mahāyāna Buddhism, especially in the Northern Transmission tradition. This sūtra was compiled and preserved in the Kangyur, the official canon of Tibetan Buddhism, reflecting the reception, development, and profound interpretation of the basic Noble Paths first taught by Buddha Śākyamuni at Sarnath.

The Northern Tibetan Mahāyāna tradition receives this foundation but expands it according to the bodhisattva perspective — the path of awakening not only for oneself but for the sake of all beings. The Sūtra on the Four Noble Paths, in this context, is regarded as a foundational diamond, enduring and unshakable, from which awakened mental formations develop.

Main Content

The Four Noble Paths, or the Four Noble Truths (catuḥ āryasatyāni), are the foundation of all Buddhist teachings. First is the Noble Path concerning Suffering — the recognition that existence within the cycle of saṃsāra bears the nature of suffering, impermanence, and lack of self-nature. This is not pessimism, but direct awakening to the nature of reality.

Second is the Noble Path concerning the Cause of Suffering — craving, aversion, delusion, and ignorance are the deep roots. These afflictions (kleśa) give rise to actions and create boundless karma, turning the wheel of saṃsāra without cease.

Third is the Noble Path concerning Nirvana — the complete cessation of afflictions and suffering, the state of absolute awakening. In the Northern Tibetan Mahāyāna tradition, nirvana is not a solitary state of stillness, but perfect buddha-nature, corresponding to the mind’s originally luminous and undefiled nature.

Fourth is the Noble Path concerning the Path — the Eightfold Path (aṣṭāṅgamārga): right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.