When Buddha taught the very first time, he set forth the four noble truths—truths which are foundational to all Buddhist traditions and paths (yanas). They describe the human experience of dukkha and the means to its cessation. While dukkha is often translated as suffering, the word is more accurately understood as unsatisfactoriness, a quality that permeates all experience.

The four noble truths are: 1) dukkha exists, 2) dukkha has a cause, 3) dukkha can end, and 4) there is a reliable path that leads to the end of dukkha, sometimes described as the cessation of suffering. All beings wish to be free of suffering but are trapped in the cycle of existence arising from dukkha.

Ultimately, each of us is like a patient, afflicted by the three poisons of craving, aggression, and ignorance (kleshas)—the mental habits that cloud our minds and create our sense of dukkha. As individuals, we can alleviate our suffering by taking the medicine of following the eightfold path, which Buddha prescribed. While we cannot end suffering for others, we can offer them what they want and need, and attempt to ease their suffering in an external, relative way. If they are cold, we can provide clothing; if they are hungry, we can offer food; if they are lonely, we can extend friendship.

For practitioners working with outer circumstances, the four noble truths can serve as a framework for considering how to benefit communities: 1) recognize the issue (the specific dukkha of a situation), 2) isolate the causes of the problem, 3) identify a solution, and 4) outline the path to that solution.

While assisting others in relative ways is virtuous and can help create the conditions for them to achieve freedom, the only dependable method to help others truly end their suffering is to assist them in reducing their kleshas.

Aspiring to ease the suffering of others is virtuous—knowing that each of us ultimately is responsible for our own liberation from suffering, we can still work to ease the relative causes of suffering for others.

Reflect on the experience of taking action to reduce suffering in their community—socially, culturally, economically, or environmentally.

• Who benefited from your actions?
• What was your intention for taking this action?
• Were there any additional underlying intentions?
• Do you know anyone who has never suffered?
• Can you think of an emotion that brings you lasting peace and happiness?

Apply the four noble truths framework to analyze a specific community issue by identifying the suffering, investigating its causes, envisioning cessation, and designing a path to resolution; evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions through the lens of reducing kleshas (mental afflictions); and implement community action that demonstrates understanding of both relative and ultimate approaches to alleviating suffering.