Question

The Four Noble Truths, traditionally believed to have been articulated by the Buddha in his first sermon after enlightenment, include all of the following except _________.
A. Human life is inevitably filled with sorrow
B. Dissemination of beliefs Is necessary to a religion
C. Suffering is caused by desire and other negative actions
D. Cessation of desires can lead to the peace of nirvana
E. Nirvana may be reached via the path of the middle way

Answer 1

Hint: Buddha and his teachings make us consider him as a practical reformer who took note of the realities of the day. He did not involve himself in fruitless controversies regarding the soul and Brahma which read strongly in his time.

Complete step by step answer:
A. Human life is inevitably filled with sorrow: Dukkha and its extinction are central to the Buddha’s doctrine. The Gautama Buddha taught that life in this world is all about suffering. Suffering refers to the actual pain and sorrow experienced by an individual.
B. Dissemination of beliefs is necessary to a religion: Buddha’s teaching doesn't confer this.
C. Suffering is caused by desire and other negative actions: States of happiness or pleasure are unstable and temporary, as they are dependent on the gratification of the senses through certain experiences or objects. The major reasons attributed to suffering include human propensities such as desire, greed, pride, attachment, aversion, and ignorance. Desire (Trishna) is central to the cause and removal of suffering.
D. Cessation of desires can lead to the peace of nirvana: The Third Noble Truth, the truth of the end of suffering, has two meanings. One has to achieve the state of Nirvana. Nirvana may be reached via the path of the middle way: The fourth truth tells the method for attaining the end of suffering by following the “Middle Path”. It comprised the right observation, right determination, right speech right action, right livelihood, right exercise, right memory, and right meditation.
So, the correct answer is Option B.

Note:: The second truth is based on Buddha’s doctrine of paticheha samutpada or pratitya samutpada i.e. law of dependent origination or causation. Buddha addressed himself to the worldly problems but that taught his followers the four “Noble Truths”.