The Dukkha Sutta
On the Four Noble Truths (Cattāri Ariyasaccāni)
Sāvatthī.
“Bhikkhus (bhikkhu), the Tathāgata (tathāgata) will teach you suffering (dukkha), the origin of suffering (dukkha-samudaya), the cessation of suffering (dukkha-nirodha), and the path leading to the cessation of suffering (dukkha-nirodha-gāminī paṭipadā). Listen carefully.
1. The Noble Truth of Suffering
[280] “And what, bhikkhus, is suffering (dukkha)? It is the five aggregates affected by clinging (pañc’upādānakkhandhā). And what are these aggregates affected by clinging? They are the aggregates of clinging to form (rūpa) … up to consciousness (viññāṇa). This, bhikkhus, the Tathāgata calls suffering (dukkha).
2. The Noble Truth of the Origin of Suffering
[281] “And what is the origin of suffering? It is craving (taṇhā) which produces renewed becoming, accompanied by lust and delight, delighting in this and that. That is:
- craving for sensual pleasure (kāma-taṇhā)
- craving for being (bhava-taṇhā)
- craving for non-being (vibhava-taṇhā)
This, bhikkhus, the Tathāgata calls the origin of suffering (dukkha-samudaya).
3. The Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering
[282] “And what is the cessation of suffering? It is the fading away and complete cessation of that very craving (taṇhā-nirodha)—its relinquishment, its letting go, its freedom, its non-attachment (anupādāna), leaving no residue.
This, bhikkhus, the Tathāgata calls the cessation of suffering (dukkha-nirodha).
4. The Noble Truth of the Path Leading to the Cessation of Suffering
[283] “And what is the path leading to the cessation of suffering? It is this very Noble Eightfold Path (ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo), namely: Right View (sammā-diṭṭhi) … Right Concentration (sammā-samādhi).
This, bhikkhus, the Tathāgata calls the path leading to the cessation of suffering (dukkha-nirodha-gāminī paṭipadā).
End of the Second Discourse on Suffering (Dukkha Sutta).
Short Pāli Glossary (concise, intensive)
- Dukkha — suffering; the unsatisfactoriness inherent in conditioned existence.
- Pañc’upādānakkhandhā — the five aggregates subject to clinging (form, feeling, perception, formations, consciousness).
- Taṇhā — craving; thirst that fuels rebirth.
- Kāma-taṇhā — craving for sensual pleasures.
- Bhava-taṇhā — craving for continued existence/becoming.
- Vibhava-taṇhā — craving for annihilation or non-existence.
- Ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo — the Noble Eightfold Path.
- Sammā-diṭṭhi / sammā-samādhi — right view / right concentration.
- Tathāgata — “Thus-gone/Thus-come”; epithet for the Buddha.
- Bhikkhu — monastic disciple.