The Truth Itself Is Noble

Pema Dragpa May 18, 2019

What a wonderful time to celebrate the Buddha and contemplate his teachings!

“Many people might wonder why the Buddha taught the Suffering Truth. What difference does it make? Why is this so special? Maybe they think they’re just words from La-La Land, or news from Fantasy Island. But the Buddha’s teaching is a nugget teaching, close to the way things are,and it’s also natural. For this reason, the gracious teacher Buddha Shakyamuni himself said, “I give the teaching. I’m the teacher. I can show you the path, but after that, it’s up to you. I can give you every tool, every means to bring yourself up, and then it’s up to you whether or not you put it to use.”

That’s why the first teaching is the Truth of Suffering, or the Noble Suffering Truth. Why is it called truth? Because suffering is a truth we all experience. We all go through challenges and difficulties. Nobody can deny or ignore that. It’s true, and speaking truth is noble. It’s noble because it’s spoken exactly as it is—not understated, not overstated, but stated exactly as it is. That is noble. That is beauty. That is special. The Buddha wasn’t hiding anything or covering anything up—he was stating the truth simply and plainly, as it is.”

Venerable Khenpo Rinpoches

Walking in the Footsteps of the Buddha (pgs 31-32)

Photo of the Buddha statue at the PBC Miracle Stupa in Shravasti, India near Jetavan, Grove.