The Four Noble Truths

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:

1. noble truths
2. truths of the noble one, i.e. the Buddha
3. truths of the noble ones, i.e. those who have attained some level of enlightenment
4. 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.