After the Buddha achieved enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, he traveled to Sarnath. There, the Buddha gave his first teaching. The Buddha taught the Four Truths:
1) The truth of the existence of suffering in the world
2) The truth that the suffering in the world has a cause
3) The truth that the suffering in the world can cease
4) The truth which elucidates the cessation of suffering through the eightfold path of the Buddha’s teachings

The Eightfold Path is an overview of the important qualities a practitioner should develop:

Wisdom
1. Right Understanding: The Buddha said right understanding means having knowledge with regard to suffering, knowledge with regard to the origination of suffering, knowledge with regard to the stopping of suffering, and knowledge with regard to the way of practice leading to the stopping of suffering. This means, in sum, understanding that a selfish ego is the root of suffering.
2. Right Thought: Being resolved on renouncing worldly desire, on freedom from ill will, on not harming others.

Virtue
3. Right Speech: Abstaining from lying, abstaining from divisive speech, abstaining from abusive speech, abstaining from idle chatter.
4. Right Action: Abstaining from taking life, abstaining from stealing, abstaining from sexual miscondcut.
5. Right Livelihood: Earning one’s living in a righteous way. This means not through coercion, stealing, selling of intoxicants, and manufacturing weapons.

Concentration
6. Right Effort: Exerting onelself to end unvirtous actions, and to develop skillfulness and good qualities.
7. Right Mindfulness: Putting aside greed, and instead turning one’s mind toward taming emotions, harnessing positive mental qualities, and protecting one’s precious human existence.
8. Right Concentration: Directing thought appropriately so one can develop equanmity.