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Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2025 5:38 pm
So it is important here to distinguish between right desires and wrong desires, and to follow the “Middle Path,” without falling into extremes.
The practice leading to liberation from craving and passions includes “the cultivation of love, friendliness, mercy, compassion, and empathy toward other beings.” These wholesome states are considered antidotes to defilements and “evil” karma. In the matter of salvation, Buddhism places exceptionally great importance on the conscious efforts of the practitioner: “For it is the person himself who commits evil, and he himself defiles himself. It is the person himself who does not commit evil, and he himself purifies himself. Purity and defilement depend on oneself. No one can purify another.” (Dhammapada, 165)
Four aspects of the Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
Cessation (nirodha): the suppression of the true causes of suffering within the stream of consciousness; the moment when an individual, undergoing transformation, is freed from gross defilements (kleshas).
Peace (shanta): complete freedom of the mind from defilements, liberation, nirvana; in Mahayana terminology — “the emptiness of the mind, purified of kleshas”; since the true causes of suffering in the stream of consciousness are suppressed, the mind abides in tranquility.
Perfect attainment (pranīta): achievement, supreme fulfillment — “the highest state of happiness, bliss,” which arises with cessation; the stream of consciousness, resting in peace, is no longer bound by afflictions.
Irreversible exit (nihsarana): complete and unconditional ending of suffering. Meditation on the four aspects of the truth of cessation of suffering is performed to give rise to a sincere desire for liberation.
The Fourth Noble Truth of the Path
Magga, the path leading to the cessation of suffering — the Noble Truth of the Middle (or Eightfold) Path. The Fourth Truth has a practical, soteriological character and emphasizes the optimism of the Buddhist message.
The practice leading to liberation from craving and passions includes “the cultivation of love, friendliness, mercy, compassion, and empathy toward other beings.” These wholesome states are considered antidotes to defilements and “evil” karma. In the matter of salvation, Buddhism places exceptionally great importance on the conscious efforts of the practitioner: “For it is the person himself who commits evil, and he himself defiles himself. It is the person himself who does not commit evil, and he himself purifies himself. Purity and defilement depend on oneself. No one can purify another.” (Dhammapada, 165)
Four aspects of the Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
Cessation (nirodha): the suppression of the true causes of suffering within the stream of consciousness; the moment when an individual, undergoing transformation, is freed from gross defilements (kleshas).
Peace (shanta): complete freedom of the mind from defilements, liberation, nirvana; in Mahayana terminology — “the emptiness of the mind, purified of kleshas”; since the true causes of suffering in the stream of consciousness are suppressed, the mind abides in tranquility.
Perfect attainment (pranīta): achievement, supreme fulfillment — “the highest state of happiness, bliss,” which arises with cessation; the stream of consciousness, resting in peace, is no longer bound by afflictions.
Irreversible exit (nihsarana): complete and unconditional ending of suffering. Meditation on the four aspects of the truth of cessation of suffering is performed to give rise to a sincere desire for liberation.
The Fourth Noble Truth of the Path
Magga, the path leading to the cessation of suffering — the Noble Truth of the Middle (or Eightfold) Path. The Fourth Truth has a practical, soteriological character and emphasizes the optimism of the Buddhist message.