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Noble Truths

ajani_mgoajani_mgo Veteran
edited August 2006 in Buddhism Basics
Hmmm... I know that the label isn't important... But is there anything behind the "Noble" in the "Four Noble Truths"? Is it a later addition by western scholars, or otherwise, what did the Buddha mean when he used "noble"?

Comments

  • buddhafootbuddhafoot Veteran
    edited August 2006
    Interesting point.

    Since I am not a Pali or Sanskrit translator - I really can't add anything to this. I don't know what word in the translations equated to "noble" in English.

    -bf
  • ajani_mgoajani_mgo Veteran
    edited August 2006
    Ah... Wikipedia saves the day! ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths )
    Samyutta Nikaya wrote:
    These Four Noble Truths, monks, are actual, unerring, not otherwise. Therefore they are called noble truths. - The Buddha

    Hmmm... Interesting..
  • buddhafootbuddhafoot Veteran
    edited August 2006
    dictionary.com is kind of useful too in defining "noble"...

    http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/noble

    -bf
  • SimonthepilgrimSimonthepilgrim Veteran
    edited August 2006
    As far as I can ascertain, Four Noble Truths is a translation of the Pali cattari ariya saccan. Translations vary. HPB and Alice Bailey used the term "Aryan" in place of "Noble". Thich Nat Hanh points out that the Chines translation is "Wonderful" or "Holy".

    I think I recall that the Indo-European root syllable -ri- is in Ariya, meaning to move up or arise. By extension it comes to mean superior, worthy of honour.

    Hope this helps.
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