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The Four Noble Truths
1. The Nature of Suffering (or Dukkha):
"This is the noble truth of suffering: birth is suffering, aging is suffering, illness is suffering, death is suffering; sorrow, lamentation, pain, grief and despair are suffering; union with what is displeasing is suffering; separation from what is pleasing is suffering; not to get what one wants is suffering; in brief, the five aggregates subject to clinging are suffering."[4][5]
2. Suffering's Origin (Dukkha Samudaya):
"This is the noble truth of the origin of suffering: it is this craving which leads to renewed existence, accompanied by delight and lust, seeking delight here and there, that is, craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence, craving for extermination."[4][5]
3. Suffering's Cessation (Dukkha Nirodha):
"This is the noble truth of the cessation of suffering: it is the remainder less fading away and cessation of that same craving, the giving up and relinquishing of it, freedom from it, non reliance on it."
4. The Path (Dukkha Nirodha Gamini Patipada Magga) Leading to the Cessation of Suffering:
"This is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is the Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Noble_Truths
Noble Eightfold Path
Right Understanding
The Right Understanding is crucial to understanding the Buddhist belief system, particularly the identification, causes, consequences of, and through these eight steps, the elimination of suffering. The Right Understanding also conveys an understanding of the Buddhist philosophy of the non-permanence of the self.
Right Thought
To have the Right Thought, a follower should fully understand his purpose in following the teachings of the Buddha, as well as his outlook on the world and world issues.
Right Speech
The focus of the Right Speech is to avoid harmful language, such as lying or unkind words. It is far better to use gentle, friendly and meaningful words, even when a situation calls for a truth that may be hurtful, despite the follower?s best intentions.
Right Action
The Right Action forms a list of fundamental ethical behaviors all practicing Buddhists should follow. These are the Five Precepts:
1. To refrain from destroying living beings
2. To refrain from stealing
3. To refrain from sexual misconduct (adultery, rape, etc.)
4. To refrain from false speech (lying)
5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to heedlessness
Right Livelihood
Those seeking enlightenment should pick the Right Livelihood to support the other fundamentals of Buddhism. Followers should avoid employment in positions where their actions may cause harm to others, be it directly or indirectly.
Right Effort
Buddhists recognize that human nature limits the mind at times and causes ill thoughts. Unlike Right Thought, the Right Effort focuses on working to remove the bad thoughts and replace them with positive, more pleasant thoughts.
Right Mindfulness
The Right Mindfulness, along with Right Concentration, is the foundation behind Buddhist meditation. Monks, or other followers, should focus their minds on their body, emotions, mental workings, and mental qualities, but not on worldly desire and aversion while meditating.
Right Concentration
Coupled with Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration lays the framework for proper meditation. Rather than focusing on the mental aspects, the Right Concentration gives instructions as to how to work through the steps of focus in effective meditation.
http://www.fundamentalbuddhism.com/noble-eightfold-path.html
Also see Precepts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Precepts
Adherence is crucial, but not in the way others see rules. It's just that, if we are not living uprightly, we are fighting against the inherent wisdom-nature we are trying to realize through practice.
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what are the ''Fundamental Laws of the Buddha'' and how important are they if one is
