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Life can suck. I mean, it can really be unfair sometimes. However, by understanding certain truths, you can learn from these experiences. In addition, by knowing how to deal with life's disappointments and sorrows, you can indeed live a happier life. This is the basic premise of the four noble truths.

Siddhartha was born a prince of great wealth. His father, the king spoiled him with anything he desired. Within the walls of the kingdom, his father did not allow any signs of suffering, ugliness, or poverty. Thus, Siddhartha grew up only seeing beauty, riches, and knew nothing of sickness and death. Wanting to know about the real world, one day he travelled outside the walls of the kingdom and saw a sickly old man that was dying. He questioned this and was told that sickness can happen to anyone and death eventually happens to everyone. Siddhartha would continue to venture out of the kingdom. Each time, he saw sickness, death, and despair. He decided that there had to be an answer to the age-old question: What is the meaning of life? In the middle of the night one evening, the prince Siddhartha went to the chambers of his loved ones for one last look, and then he was gone to search for the answer to his question. Siddhartha gave up all his royal possessions and earthly belongings and set out into the world.

For seven years, Siddhartha's quest was a hard one. He studied with monks, travelled on his own, he also had followers along his path where together they practiced the ascetic path (self-denial resulting in self-mortification in order to achieve self-control). He soon gave up his ascetic way of life. His followers were appalled and left Siddhartha on his own. Siddhartha then realized that meditating with a healthy body gave him clarity that he had not experienced before. This clarity enabled him to realize that he should live every moment to the fullest. Sitting under a fig tree, he meditated and made his final breakthrough. He became enlightened.

Siddhartha set out to help others relieve their suffering and help them along their own path to enlightenment. He became known as the Buddha (the enlightened one). Those that travelled the path to enlightenment are known as the sangha and the path itself is the dharma. The Buddha's first teachings are The Four Noble Truths.

1. In life, there are sufferings.
2. Suffering occurs because of attachments and cravings.
3. There is a way to end suffering.
4. The way to end suffering is to follow the Eightfold Path.

The first truth

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