Final answer:
The Four Noble Truths in Mahayana Buddhism are the essential teachings that outline the reality of suffering and the path towards its cessation, which is achieved through the Eightfold Path leading to nirvana.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four famous truths in Mahayana Buddhism are the First Noble Truth of Suffering (Dukkha), the Second Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Samudāya), the Third Noble Truth of the Cessation of Suffering (Nirodha), and the Fourth Noble Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering (Magga).
Mahayana Buddhism is anchored in the foundational belief of the Four Noble Truths which provide a spiritual framework for followers to achieve liberation from suffering. The first truth acknowledges that suffering is an inherent part of human existence. The second truth explores the cause of this suffering, which is often attributed to desire and attachment. The third truth offers hope by asserting that it is possible to end suffering.
The pathway to achieving this liberation is outlined in the fourth truth, which is the adoption of the Eightfold Path. This method of enlightenment includes practicing wisdom, ethical conduct, and meditation, ultimately leading adherents towards the attainment of nirvana. Within the teachings of the Four Noble Truths, adherents find guidance for moral and spiritual discipline, nonviolence, selflessness, and tolerance which are key virtues in Buddhist practice.