25.1 （一）谛

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "You should practice the Dharma of the Four Noble Truths. What are the four? Namely, the first is the truth of suffering, whose meaning is inexhaustible and whose meaning is boundless, and the Dharma is spoken without end. The second is the truth of the origin of suffering, whose meaning is inexhaustible and whose meaning is boundless, and the Dharma is spoken without end. The third is the truth of the cessation of suffering, whose meaning is inexhaustible and whose meaning is boundless, and the Dharma is spoken without end. The fourth is the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering, whose meaning is inexhaustible and whose meaning is boundless, and the Dharma is spoken without end.

What is meant by the truth of suffering? The truth of suffering refers to the suffering of birth, the suffering of aging, the suffering of sickness, the suffering of death, the suffering of sorrow, grief, and distress, the suffering of being with what is disliked, the suffering of separation from what is loved, the suffering of not getting what one desires, and in brief, the suffering of the five aggregates. This is called the truth of suffering.

What is meant by the truth of the origin of suffering? The truth of the origin of suffering refers to craving and desire, the mind is always attached to it, this is called the truth of the origin of suffering.

What is meant by the truth of the cessation of suffering? The truth of the cessation of suffering refers to the complete and permanent cessation of desire and craving, without further creation, this is called the truth of the cessation of suffering.

What is meant by the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering? The truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering refers to the eightfold noble path, namely right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration, this is called the truth of the path leading to the cessation of suffering.

"Thus, bhikkhus, these four truths exist, they are real and not false, they are spoken by the World-Honored One, therefore they are called truths. Among all beings, whether two-legged, three-legged, or four-legged, those with desire, those with form, those without form, those with perception, or those without perception, the Tathāgata is supreme. Because he has realized these four truths, they are called the four truths. This is what is meant by the existence of these four truths. Yet, not realizing them, one remains long in saṃsāra, transmigrating through the five paths. I have now realized these four truths, and have gone from this shore to the other shore. I have accomplished this meaning, cut off the root of saṃsāra, and will no longer be reborn. I know this as it truly is."

At that time, the World-Honored One spoke this verse:

Now there is the Dharma of the Four Noble Truths, yet if one
does not truly know them, one will revolve in saṃsāra and never attain
liberation. Now that I have realized the Four Noble Truths, I have awakened
to and understood them, cut off the root of saṃsāra, and will no
longer be reborn.

"If the fourfold assembly does not attain this truth, does not awaken to and understand it, they will follow the five paths. Therefore, bhikṣus! You should make efforts to realize these four truths. Thus, bhikṣus! You should train in this way."

At that time, the bhikṣus heard what the Buddha said, and joyfully received and practiced it.