PLBF Southampton Buddha Dharma Study 2.

The Fourfold Truth as taught by the Buddha is as follows:
1. Life consists entirely of suffering
2. Suffering has causes (these two are the description of reality)
3. The causes of suffering can be extinguished
4. There exists a way to extinguish the causes (the last two express the ideal)

In explanation of the Fourth Noble Truth, the Buddha taught the EIGHTFOLD WAY as follows:
1. Right View; seeing things as they are.
2. Right Thought.
3. Right Speech.
4. Right Action. 2, 3 and 4 are the elements of human character.
5. Right Mindfulness.
6. Right Endeavour.
7. Right Livelihood. 5, 6 and 7 are the elements of human life or the dynamic aspects of human character.
8. Right Concentration. This is the motive power to carry one through all the worlds; this human world of desire, the heaven of bodily beings, the higher heaven of formless/bodieless beings and then holy beings; finally to reach the state of PARINIVANA (Highest Nirvana) … Buddahood.

The "Wheel of Dharma" or Dharmacakra
Recognized globally as a symbol for Buddhism that has represented the Buddha's teaching of the path to enlightenment, since the early period of Indian Buddhism.

The eight spokes represent the Noble Eightfold Path.
Its overall shape is that of a circle (cakra), representing the perfection of the dharma teaching.
The hub stands for discipline, which is the essential core of meditation practice.
The rim, which holds the spokes, refers to mindfulness or samadhi which holds everything together.