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Significance of Four noble truth

The Four Noble Truths form the foundational principles of Buddhism, addressing the nature of suffering (dukkha), its origin (samudaya), the possibility of its cessation (nirodha), and the path leading to such cessation (magga). These core teachings are essential for understanding the essence of Buddhist philosophy and practice, as they guide practitioners toward enlightenment and liberation from suffering. The truths emphasize recognizing suffering, its causes, the potential for cessation, and the disciplined path required to achieve relief from suffering.1
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Synonyms: Four fundamental principles, Four noble truths, Four holy truths

In Dutch: Vier nobele waarheden; In Finnish: Neljä jaloa totuutta; In Spanish: Cuatro nobles verdades; In German: Vier edle Wahrheiten; In Swedish: Fyra ädla sanningar; In Malay: Empat kebenaran mulia; In French: Quatre nobles vérités

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Four noble truth'

Buddhism Books

The Four Noble Truths in Buddhism focus on understanding suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path to cessation, serving as foundational principles essential for practitioners on their journey toward enlightenment and liberation.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) The foundational teachings of Buddhism which outline the nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its end.[1] (2) The core teachings of Buddhism expounded by Buddha Anomadassi, leading to liberation.[2] (3) A core teaching of Buddhism that explains the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[3] (4) The core teachings of Buddhism concerning the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation, which were understood by many during the Buddha's discourses.[4] (5) The core teachings of Buddhism, which explain the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[5]

From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada

(1) Key teachings of the Buddha that outline the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[6] (2) The foundational principles of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[7] (3) The fundamental teachings in Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to overcome it, which avijja (ignorance) blinds ordinary people from understanding.[8] (4) The foundational teachings of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[9] (5) The fundamental teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path toward its cessation, which Arahats fully realize.[10]

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) Foundational teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[11] (2) The foundation of Buddhist teachings focusing on the realities of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path to its cessation.[12] (3) The foundational principles of Buddhism explaining suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to end it.[13] (4) The foundational principles of Buddhist teachings outlining the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[14] (5) The four essential truths in Buddhism that delineate the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[15]

From: Guide to Tipitaka

(1) The foundation of the right view, discussed in the Sammaditthi Sutta, integral to understanding good and bad deeds.[16] (2) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that explain the nature of suffering and the path towards liberation.[17] (3) The central teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[18] (4) The Four Noble Truths are fundamental teachings that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation, serving as a guide for achieving Nibbana.[19] (5) The fundamental teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[20]

From: Cetasikas

(1) The four noble truths lay the foundation of Buddhism, describing the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to cessation, known as the eightfold Path.[21] (2) The central teachings of Buddhism outlining the truth of suffering and the path to enlightenment.[22] (3) The central doctrine in Buddhism that deals with the nature of dukkha (suffering), its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[23] (4) The central teachings of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering and the path towards its cessation.[24] (5) Fundamental principles of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering, its cause, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[25]

From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life

(1) The foundational teachings of Buddhism addressing dukkha (suffering), its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[26] (2) The fundamental teachings of Buddhism that address suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[27] (3) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[28] (4) Fundamental teachings of Buddhism that describe the nature of suffering (dukkha) and the path to liberation from it.[29]

From: A Manual of Abhidhamma

(1) Core Buddhist teachings focused on understanding the nature of suffering and the pathway to its cessation.[30] (2) Buddhism’s framework regarding suffering and the path to overcome it.[31] (3) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that are integral to understanding the path to Nibbana.[32] (4) The foundational principles of Buddhism addressing suffering, its cause, cessation, and the path to cessation.[33]

From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada

(1) The Four Noble Truths are a foundational concept in Buddhism representing the realities of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[34] (2) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[35] (3) The fundamental truths in Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[36]

From: Patipada (path of practice)

(1) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that explain the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path to its cessation.[37] (2) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[38] (3) Fundamental Buddhist teachings about the nature of suffering and the path to liberation, central to Dhamma practice.[39]

From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)

(1) The foundational teachings of Buddhism which describe the nature of suffering and the path to overcoming it; attained through an Act of Truth.[40] (2) Core concepts in Buddhism which outline the nature of suffering and the path to cessation of suffering.[41] (3) The central tenets of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[42]

From: Catusacca Dipani

(1) The central tenets of Buddhism that reveal the nature of suffering and the path to liberation, significant in the context of Dassanattho.[43] (2) A central teaching of Buddhism that outlines the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[44]

From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)

(1) The Four Noble Truths is a fundamental Buddhist teaching that includes understanding suffering and its cause, which is identified as lobha.[45] (2) The central teachings of Buddhism concerning suffering and the path to overcome it, which are misunderstood due to the influence of moha.[46]

From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga

(1) The fundamental doctrines taught by the Blessed One, addressing suffering, its cause, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[47] (2) Central teachings in Buddhism describing the nature of suffering and the path to enlightenment.[48]

From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)

(1) The central teachings of the Buddha, which are crucial for understanding suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[49] (2) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation, consisting of the truths of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the way leading to its cessation.[50]

From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma

(1) Central teachings of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path to its cessation.[51]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) Fundamental realities recognized by practitioners that outline the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[52] (2) Central teachings in Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[53] (3) A central tenet in Buddhism concerning suffering, its causes, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation, forming the basis of understanding in the Abhidharma.[54] (4) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[55] (5) The core doctrine of Buddhism that outlines the nature of suffering and the path to freedom from it.[56]

From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra

(1) The foundational principles of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[57] (2) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that articulate the nature of suffering and the path to overcoming it.[58] (3) The foundational principles of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[59]

From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra

(1) The foundational teachings of the Buddha that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[60] (2) The foundational principles in Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.[61]

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) A fundamental teaching of Buddhism that outlines the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[62]

From: Avatamsaka Sutra (flower adornment sutra)—Preface

(1) Core teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[63]

From: Mahavastu (great story)

(1) The core teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from suffering.[64]

From: Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarika)

(1) Core teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to overcome it.[65]

From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara

(1) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to transcend it.[66]

From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]

(1) Foundational Buddhist principles that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[67]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)

(1) The foundational teachings of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering, its cause, and the path to liberation.[68] (2) The fundamental teachings of the Buddha regarding suffering (dukkha), its origin (samudaya), its cessation (nirodha), and the path leading to its cessation (magga).[69] (3) Teachings preached by Ratthapala encompassing the nature of the world and existence.[70] (4) Fundamental Buddhist beliefs that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[71] (5) The core principles of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[72]

From: The Great Chariot

(1) The foundational principles of Buddhism concerning suffering and its cessation.[73] (2) The foundational Buddhist concepts that outline the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[74] (3) The truths regarding suffering, its cause, cessation, and the path leading to cessation, fundamental in understanding Buddhist philosophy.[75] (4) The fundamental principles of Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[76] (5) The central tenets of Buddhism that encapsulate the nature of suffering and its cessation.[77]

From: Bodhinyana

(1) The foundational teachings in Buddhism that explain the nature of suffering (Dukkha) and the way to overcome it.[78]

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) The foundational principles of Buddhism regarding suffering, its cause, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation, acknowledged by all eighteen schools.[79] (2) Core principles in Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering and its cessation.[80] (3) Central teachings of Buddhism that address the nature of suffering and the path to overcome it.[81]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Hindu concept of 'Four noble truth'

Hinduism Books

The Four Noble Truths in Buddhism outline the nature of suffering (Duhkha), its origin, cessation, and the path to liberation, encapsulating core principles that guide individuals toward overcoming life's struggles and achieving enlightenment.

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: Bhesajjakkhandhaka (Chapter on Medicine)

(1) Core principles of Buddhism that address the nature of suffering and its causes.[82] (2) The fundamental teachings of Buddhism addressing the nature of suffering and the way to overcome it.[83] (3) The foundational teachings of Buddhism that address suffering (dukkha) and its cessation (dukkhassa nirodham).[84] (4) Central teachings in Buddhism that describe the nature of suffering and the path to its cessation.[85]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Kama-shastra (the science of Love-making):
Kamashastra Books

From: Kamashastra Discourse (Life in Ancient India)

(1) Buddhist teachings summarizing the essence of life’s struggles and pathways to enlightenment, including suffering, its origin, cessation, and the noble eightfold path.[86]

Kamashastra deals with ancient Indian science of love-making, passion, emotions and other related topics dealing with the pleasures of the senses.

The concept of Four noble truth in local and regional sources

History Books

The Four Noble Truths are central teachings in Buddhism that articulate the nature of suffering, its origin, cessation, and the path to liberation, forming the foundation of Buddhist philosophy and guiding all schools of thought within the tradition.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) Core tenets of Buddhist philosophy that outline the nature of suffering and the path to overcoming it.[87] (2) Fundamental principles of Buddhism that address the nature of suffering and the path to enlightenment, referenced in teachings from various Buddhist texts.[88] (3) The foundational truths of Buddha's teachings that outline the nature of suffering and the path to overcoming it.[89] (4) Central teachings of Buddhism propounded by Buddha, outlining the nature of suffering and the path to liberation from it.[90] (5) The essential doctrines in Buddhism outlining the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[91]

From: Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka

(1) The foundational beliefs of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[92] (2) The fundamental teachings of Buddhism that outline the nature of suffering and the path to liberation.[93]

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) The number four corresponds to the number of these, which are pain, desire, cessation, and path, and which, in a way, reflects an implied medical paradigm of disease, cause, cure, and treatment.[94]