THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS by Ven. Lobsang Gyatso, trans. by Sherab Gyatso

After his enlightenment, the Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths–the foundation and essence of all forms of Buddhism. The first truth diagnoses the nature of our existential illnesses and neuroses. The second explores their causes and conditions for arising. The third shows that the causes of our problems can be removed and that we can be free of suffering. The fourth includes the many paths Buddhism offers to realize that goal. The Buddha has shown that the spiritual path is pragmatic and works directly with everyday experience in order to fundamentally transform the practitioner. This presentation is a succinct and a very clear introduction to the Buddha’s core teaching.

Ven. Lobsang Gyatso was born in Kham province, Tibet, in 1928 and educated at Drepung Monastic University. In 1973, with the blessing of H.H.the Dalai Lama, he founded the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics in Dharamsala, where he has been the Director since its inception. He lectured in many countries and authored numerous books and articles. Above all, he was a meditation master who demonstrated in his life the Buddhist philosophy of wisdom and compassion.