After the Buddha realized the Dhamma, he then formed the Sangha, teaching to his first five disciples recorded in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. It describes both the theory and practice that forms the foundation of Budha’s teachings, the Dhamma, and what we now call Buddhism.
First the practice, then the theory. How one realizes these four ultimate states is by practicing the middle way (majjhima patipada), which Buddha expanded into the noble eightfold path (ariyo atthangiko maggo):
- right view (samma-ditthi)
- right resolve (samma-sankappo)
- right speech (samma-vaca)
- right action (samma-kammanto)
- right livelihood (samma-ajivo)
- right effort (samma-vayamo)
- right mindfulness (samma-sati)
- right concentration (samma-samadhi)
Now the theory. Buddha taught the four noble truths, that has to be acknowledged, understood, and mastered to realize the ultimate reality and become unbound (attain nibbana). First noble truth (ariya-saccam) is that there is sufffering, it’s pervasive, and it has to be comprehended.
The second noble truth is that of the origination of suffering (dukkha-samudayo ariya-saccam), which has to be abandoned in your mind, in your heart, your speech, your action, your work, etc.
The third noble truth is that suffering can be ended (dukkha-nirodho ariya-saccanti), which you ought to experience for yourself, but it’s not by ending your life, which would result in more suffering for “you” in the next cycle.
Finally, in the fourth noble truth, the Buddha explains that there is a way of practice leading to the end of suffering (dukkha-nirodha-gamini-patipada ariya-saccam), and it has to be practiced. What is it? The middle way; also known as the noble eight-fold path.
Also within the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, Buddha taught how he recognized he had become the Buddha, giving us a description of how we might qualify or disqualify someone who claims to attain nibbana.
