The Four Noble Truths -- the substance of the Buddha's first teaching after he had become enlightened -- are often presented as the cornerstone, or the starting point, of all Buddhist teachings. In a very profound sense, however, they also constitute the whole of Buddhism; gaining insight into the true nature of suffering is synonymous with freeing oneself from that suffering and practicing Buddha Dharma. In this series, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet interprets the four noble truths for a modern world. Taped over two days at London's Barbican Hall in July of 1996, this landmark conference was His Holiness's first such address before a Western audience. His lectures offer both an introduction to Tibetan Buddhism and a unique text for Buddhist devotees and scholars. Part 1 gives an exposition of the first noble truth: the truth of suffering. It explores several diverse but interconnected themes: the concept of Buddhahood, the illusory nature of our assumptions about an objective reality, and the principle of dependent origination. The series includes an introduction by Robert A. F. Thurman, Professor of Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies at Columbia University.
