The Buddha teaches the four noble truths regarding expressions—suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the practice leading to its cessation.

SN 56.19 Expressions

“‘Idaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti, bhikkhave, mayā paññattaṁ. Tattha aparimāṇā vaṇṇā aparimāṇā byañjanā aparimāṇā saṅkāsanā: ‘itipidaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti; idaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ …pe… idaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ …pe… ‘idaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccan’ti, bhikkhave, mayā paññattaṁ. Tattha aparimāṇā vaṇṇā aparimāṇā byañjanā aparimāṇā saṅkāsanā: ‘itipidaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccan’ti.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

Navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“‘Idaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti, bhikkhave, mayā paññattaṁ.

“Mendicants, I’ve declared: ‘This is the noble truth of suffering.’

Tattha aparimāṇā vaṇṇā aparimāṇā byañjanā aparimāṇā saṅkāsanā:

For that there are limitless arrangements, phrasings, and illustrations:

‘itipidaṁ dukkhaṁ ariyasaccan’ti;

‘This is another way of saying that this is the noble truth of suffering.’

idaṁ dukkhasamudayaṁ …pe…

I’ve declared: ‘This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering.’ …

idaṁ dukkhanirodhaṁ …pe…

I’ve declared: ‘This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering.’ …

‘idaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccan’ti, bhikkhave, mayā paññattaṁ.

I’ve declared: ‘This is the noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.’

Tattha aparimāṇā vaṇṇā aparimāṇā byañjanā aparimāṇā saṅkāsanā:

For that there are limitless arrangements, phrasings, and illustrations:

‘itipidaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā ariyasaccan’ti.

‘This is another way of saying that this is the noble truth of the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.’

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, ‘idaṁ dukkhan’ti yogo karaṇīyo …pe… ‘ayaṁ dukkhanirodhagāminī paṭipadā’ti yogo karaṇīyo”ti.

That’s why you should practice meditation …”

Navamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Truth

Truth

The quality of what is real and dependable; speech and conduct aligned with reality, honesty, and integrity.

Also known as: accuracy, reliability, verifiability
Pāli: sacca
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Last updated on July 27, 2026