Which statement best expresses a core Buddhist truth among the Four Noble Truths?

Which statement best expresses a core Buddhist truth among the Four Noble Truths?

• A. There is no self.
• B. All desires are good.
• C. Suffering exists.
• D. Enlightenment is impossible.

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is recognizing that suffering exists as the starting point of Buddhist teaching. The first Noble Truth states that life involves unsatisfactoriness or suffering (dukkha), which sets the stage for understanding why the path to freedom is needed. Saying suffering exists captures this foundational recognition: it names the human condition Buddhists aim to understand and transform. This makes it the best expression among the truths because it directly identifies the reality that begins the whole framework. The other ideas either touch on different Buddhist teachings or contradict the path: denying self relates to non-self doctrine but isn’t the truth about suffering itself; claiming all desires are good contradicts the teaching that craving drives suffering; and declaring enlightenment impossible clashes with the actual aim of the path, which is to end suffering.

The main idea being tested is recognizing that suffering exists as the starting point of Buddhist teaching. The first Noble Truth states that life involves unsatisfactoriness or suffering (dukkha), which sets the stage for understanding why the path to freedom is needed. Saying suffering exists captures this foundational recognition: it names the human condition Buddhists aim to understand and transform.

This makes it the best expression among the truths because it directly identifies the reality that begins the whole framework. The other ideas either touch on different Buddhist teachings or contradict the path: denying self relates to non-self doctrine but isn’t the truth about suffering itself; claiming all desires are good contradicts the teaching that craving drives suffering; and declaring enlightenment impossible clashes with the actual aim of the path, which is to end suffering.