The Four Noble Truths: Difference between revisions
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The received wisdom among American and European scholars, though contested, is that they are the central teachings of all or most traditions of [[Buddhism]].<ref>''History of Religions'', volume 42, page 389 </ref> | The received wisdom among American and European scholars, though contested, is that they are the central teachings of all or most traditions of [[Buddhism]].<ref>''History of Religions'', volume 42, page 389 </ref> | ||
Professor Peter Harvey (of Sunderland University) says they are the Buddha's advanced teachings for those ready for them.<ref>''Introduction to Buddhism'', Cambridge University Press, 1990, p. 47</ref> L.S.Cousins (sometime President of the Pali Text Society) says this is the traditional Theravada position,<ref>in Hinnells, ed, ''New Handbook of Living Religions'', Viking-Penguin, 1997, pages 393f</ref> and quotes a stock passage from the [[Pali Canon]] in support. | |||
Harvey also says the Mahayana position is that the Truths are an elementary teaching for those not ready for its own.<ref>Routledge ''Encyclopedia of Buddhism'', 2007, page 152</ref> | |||
The Chinese Mahayana writer Zhiyi presents the Truths as the essence of the teachings, but says there are different levels of Four Noble Truths, including Mahayana ones. | |||
A former British ambassador to Japan reported that the Truths were little known in the Far East (which might seem strange for the "central teachings").<ref>Sir Charles Eliot, ''Japanese Buddhism'', Edward Arnold, London, 1935, pages 59f</ref> | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 12:38, 7 June 2012
The Four Noble Truths are an important concept in Buddhism. Scholars have published a variety of different statements about what they are and their place in Buddhism.
Translation
Some scholars present them as statements, propositions, about suffereing and so on (see below). Others, however, say that they are actually not statements but the things themselves, suffering etc. Some of these suggest "Realities" as a translation. Some scholars seem to mix the two interpretations, suggesting they may regard both as valid aspects.
In addition, a variety of possible analyses of the compounds in ancient Indian languages have been put forward:
- noble truths
- truths of the noble one, i.e. the Buddha
- truths of the noble ones, i.e. those who have attained some level of enlightenment
- ennobling truths
K.R. Norman (then President of the Pali Text Society) suggested all meanings were valid, saying multiple meanings were common in the Indian tradition.
Role
The received wisdom among American and European scholars, though contested, is that they are the central teachings of all or most traditions of Buddhism.[1]
Professor Peter Harvey (of Sunderland University) says they are the Buddha's advanced teachings for those ready for them.[2] L.S.Cousins (sometime President of the Pali Text Society) says this is the traditional Theravada position,[3] and quotes a stock passage from the Pali Canon in support.
Harvey also says the Mahayana position is that the Truths are an elementary teaching for those not ready for its own.[4]
The Chinese Mahayana writer Zhiyi presents the Truths as the essence of the teachings, but says there are different levels of Four Noble Truths, including Mahayana ones.
A former British ambassador to Japan reported that the Truths were little known in the Far East (which might seem strange for the "central teachings").[5]
Notes
- ↑ History of Religions, volume 42, page 389
- ↑ Introduction to Buddhism, Cambridge University Press, 1990, p. 47
- ↑ in Hinnells, ed, New Handbook of Living Religions, Viking-Penguin, 1997, pages 393f
- ↑ Routledge Encyclopedia of Buddhism, 2007, page 152
- ↑ Sir Charles Eliot, Japanese Buddhism, Edward Arnold, London, 1935, pages 59f