The Buddha distinguishes between the noble and ignoble search, with the noble search seeking liberation from suffering and the ignoble search perpetuating it. The Buddha reflects on his own journey, realizing the futility of seeking what is subject to birth, aging, sickness, death, sorrow, and defilement. This realization leads him to abandon his privileged life and embark on a quest for enlightenment, ultimately finding the path to Nibbāna.

Siddhartha, seeking enlightenment, studied with two teachers, mastering their teachings but finding them unsatisfactory as they did not lead to the cessation of suffering. Rejecting the offers of succession, he continued his search, eventually abandoning extreme asceticism and finding enlightenment through practice, introspection, and insight into the nature of suffering. His journey illustrates the importance of intention and self-reflection in overcoming suffering and achieving enlightenment.

Reference:

Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli & Bhikkhu Bodhi, The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publications, 1995). "The Noble Search."

(00:00:00 ) Welcome

(00:00:49 ) The Buddha's Discourse on the Noble Search

(00:01:47 ) The Ignoble Search

(00:06:09 ) The Noble Search

(00:07:35 ) The Importance of Intention in our Quest

(00:10:21 ) Discovering Suffering and the Intention to find its Solution

(00:15:22 ) Āḷāra Kālāma

(00:20:05 ) Uddaka Rāmaputta

(00:23:26 ) The Five Ascetics

(00:28:03 ) The Nature of Suffering Defines the Path to Follow

(00:30:32 ) Relating with Siddhartha's Life and Story for our Benefit

(00:34:19 ) Homage to the Triple Gem: Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha