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I think humans are the reason for suffering. However, humans tend to let their desires and clinginess cause them disappointment and pain. Craving can also be a good thing, because sometimes if one wants something bad enough then one will attain it. Also, it can lead to Nirvana for one finally realizes that they are causing their own pain through attachments. Therefore, the second noble truth holds some truth to it.

"Siddhartha had one single goalto become empty, to become empty of thirst, desire, dreams, pleasure and sorrowto let the Self die. No longer to be Self, to experience the peace of an emptied heart, to experience pure thoughtthat was his goal. When all the Self was conquered and dead, when all passions and desires were silent, then the last must awaken, the innermost Being that is no longer Selfthe great secret!" This quote enforces the third noble truth: the end of suffering is getting rid of craving and grasping. I don't really agree with this quote. The way to end suffering is to better oneself such as, respecting nature, being honest, having good control over emotions, etc. However, it does help to not cling to things one can't have. Therefore, the third noble truth does not contain much correctness.

The fourth noble truth is the eightfold path, which is the method used in order to abolish suffering and attain enlightenment: right view (proper knowledge about illness), right aim (prepared to renounce attachment from the world and be compassionate), right speech (speak the truth and avoid abusive/idle talk), right action (avoid carnal indulgence, murdering, and taking what is not given), right living (put away wrong livelihood), right effort (sustaining good potentials), right mindfulness (look on the body so as to remain ardent and mindful), and right concentration (enters first jhana). I think that the eightfold path is a very good way to become a good person. However, it is not the only way, because every person is different. Therefore, there are different ways to achieve the same goal. It is not the way one obtains Nirvana that matters, but reaching it is what matters.

After one has accepted the four noble truths and completed the eightfold path they finally are free from suffering: "There shone in his face the serenity of knowledge, of one who is no longer confronted with the conflict of desires, who has found salvation, who is in harmony with the stream of events, with the stream of life, full of sympathy and compassion, surrendering himself to the stream, belonging to the unity of all things." I really admire the Buddhas who have finally reached this stage, because it is a very difficult task to accomplish. I think that I would have a lot of trouble learning to love all things: "Love is the most important thing in the world. It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain it and despise it [such as me]. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect."

[quotes are from Siddhartha by Herman Hesse}

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