This teaching is from the section The Four Noble Truths - The Matrix of the Teaching from "Noble Truths, Noble Path" by Bhikkhu Bodhi.

Whether in the past, future, or present, all fully awakened to things as they truly are do so by fully awakening to the Four Noble Truths.

"Bhikkhus, whatever ascetics or brahmins in the past fully awakened to things as they truly are, all of them fully awakened to the Four Noble Truths as they truly are. Whatever ascetics or brahmins in the future fully awaken to things as they truly are, all of them will fully awaken to the Four Noble Truths as they truly are. Whatever ascetics or brahmins at present fully awaken to things as they truly are, all of them fully awaken to the Four Noble Truths as they truly are.

What are the four? The Noble Truth of suffering (mild suffering, intense suffering, discomfort, pain, disease, unpleasantness, stress, discontentment, dissatisfaction [dukkha]), the Noble Truth of the arising of suffering (source of stress, appearance of discomfort [dukkhasamudaya]), the Noble Truth of the ending of suffering (ending of discontentment, cessation of distress [dukkhanirodha]), the Noble Truth of the way of practice (the noble eightfold path [dukkhanirodhagāmī]) leading to the ending of suffering. Bhikkhus, whatever ascetics or brahmins in the past fully awakened to things as they truly are, all of them fully awakened to these Four Noble Truths as they truly are. Whatever ascetics or brahmins in the future fully awaken to things as they truly are, all of them will fully awaken to these Four Noble Truths as they truly are. Whatever ascetics or brahmins at present fully awaken to things as they truly are, all of them fully awaken to these Four Noble Truths as they truly are.

Therefore, bhikkhus, effort should be made to fully understand (understand in principle, then discern in each moment and then experientially penetrate): 'This is suffering';

effort should be made to fully understand: 'This is the arising of suffering';

effort should be made to fully understand: 'This is the ending of suffering';

effort should be made to fully understand: 'This is the way of practice leading to the ending of suffering.'"

Related Teachings:

Four Noble Truths and The Five Aggregates subject to clinging (SN 56.13) - The Buddha explains the Four Noble Truths and the five aggregates subject to clinging.

A handful of leaves 🍃 - Essential Teachings of the Buddha to Understanding The Four Noble Truths - The Buddha shared this famous teaching about how he has only shared a little compared to what he didn't teach. This learning resource is created in the same spirit to share the essential teachings of the Buddha, that when one practices alongside with, should lead to gradually understanding and penetrating the four noble truths.

The effects of cultivating the noble eightfold path are gradual (DhP 273) - The noble eightfold path is a comprehensive collection of training guidelines that one should practice in gradually for the ending of the unwholesome mental qualities and for the benefits of enlightened mental qualities shine through.