Understanding the Four Noble Truths of Buddha: A Philosophical Interpretation through Schopenhauer and Nietzsche

This paper presents a comparative philosophical exploration of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, analyzed through the lenses of Schopenhauer’s philosophy of will and Nietzsche’s existential thought. The First Noble Truth (Dukkha) is examined in light of Schopenhauer’s concept of the ceaseless striving of the will and Nietzsche’s notion of eternal recurrence, elucidating the structural inevitability of suffering in human life. The Second Noble Truth (Samudaya) investigates the origin of suffering, focusing on craving, attachment, and the mind’s evaluative projections, integrating Buddhist Vipassana insights with Nietzschean ideas of the Übermensch and absolute affirmation (Amor Fati). The Third Noble Truth (Nirodha) addresses the cessation of suffering, incorporating Schopenhauer’s recognition of the identity of the will and Nietzschean life affirmation and creative value generation. The Fourth Noble Truth (Magga) is interpreted as the integrated path to liberation, linking the Noble Eightfold Path with the threefold practice of ethical discipline (Śīla), meditative cultivation (Samādhi), and wisdom (Prajñā), with explicit reference to Korean Seon Buddhist practices. This interdisciplinary approach demonstrates that suffering is both structurally inherent and experientially transformable, emphasizing the interplay of insight, ethical engagement, and existential affirmation as a framework for liberation. The study provides a novel synthesis of Buddhist, German, and existential philosophical perspectives, offering practical and theoretical guidance for understanding, alleviating, and transforming human suffering.