What are the basic Buddhist teachings? By Unknown

In summary, the basic Buddhist teachings are the Four Noble Truths: suffering, the cause of suffering, the extinction of suffering, and the path leading to the cessation of suffering. They are also called the “Four Truths.” Our lives can be encapsulated by these Four Truths: First, life is suffering (the Truth of Suffering); second, suffering arises through the accumulation of delusion and negative action by sentient beings (the Truth of the Cause of Suffering); third, suffering can be eradicated (the Truth of the Extinction of Suffering); fourth, there are many ways to eliminate suffering (the Truth of the Paths Leading to the Cessation of Suffering).

The Truths of Suffering and of the Cause of Suffering illustrate life’s essence and the causes of its formation. The Truths of the Extinction of Suffering and of the Paths Leading to the Cessation of Suffering illuminate the destination of our lives – liberation, and the way to liberation.

Buddhist scriptures, however voluminous, do not go beyond the Four Noble Truths.