This talk is the first of several that reviews what is considered to the be the first teaching of the Buddha after his Awakening.  The historical context of the teaching is reviewed as developing during a time of significant cultural transformation, on a much less impactful level than what is occurring in today’s world.  Using quotes from the discourse as reference, the values established by this first development of what would become known as Buddhism are discussed.  A key progression of the discourse describes how the Four Noble Truths are to first be conceptually understood, then developed through meditation and integration into one’s lifestyle, and then ultimately establishing liberation from dukkha.  The Four Truths and their value for adapting to the significant personal and sociocultural changes that confront humanity on into the future will be reviewed in greater depth during the upcoming series of talks, with extended emphasis on the the Fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eightfold Path.

Here are the notes prepared for this talk:  THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS CONCEPT

The focus for the next talk will be on the First Noble Truth, Dukkha, the distress and confusion that permeates every person’s life.