SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

The Pali word 'Sacca', which means truth, indicates an existing reality rather than a true statement or a proposition. So the Four Noble Truths are not mere formulations propounded by Buddha. They are rather four actualities discovered by the Buddha, valid quite independent of him. This is the truth that is always present, but which is hidden from our sight due to the screen of ignorance.

The Truths are called 'Noble' or 'Ariya' Truths because:

a)  They are taught by the Ariyan, that is the Buddha
b)  They lead to the Ariyan state. An Ariyan is a 'noble one', an enlightened one or one on the path to enlightenment.
c)  They call for noble qualities, for courage, honesty, wisdom, profundity of character, to see reality as it is.

There are four truths, which give us everything we need to gain liberation. No other truth has to be added to it nor can any of them be removed for the purpose of gaining liberation.

The Buddha sets out the Four Truths as a formula a doctor uses to deal with a patient. The Buddha first sets out the basic affliction of human life, the problem of Dukkha. Thereafter he makes the diagnosis, explaining the cause for the disease; this is the second truth as craving. As a third step the doctor gives a prognosis. He determines the possibility of a cure, the cessation of dukkha. The Buddha says that suffering can be ended . As the fourth step the doctor prescribes the course of treatment. So too Buddha prescribed the fourth truth, the Noble Eightfold Path.