The Eightfold Path The goal of Buddhism is the permanent end to suffering.
To reach this goal requires a plan,
A path.
The Noble Eightfold Path is just that.
It is a middle way between the extremes that neither deny our physical body nor indulge its appetites.
It consists of eight parts or factors,
Which are not meant to be followed step by step,
One after another,
But should be considered part of a single unified path to be practiced simultaneously to the best of one's ability.
Progress in one area will lead to progress in another.
Right Understanding,
Right Thought,
Right Speech,
Right Action,
Right Livelihood,
Right Effort,
Right Mindfulness,
Right Concentration 1.
Right Understanding means a proper understanding of you,
Of things,
The way they are.
That is to say,
Proper understanding of the Four Noble Truths,
Which includes the Eightfold Path.
In this way,
The Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path are nested within each other.
Understanding the Four Noble Truths means understanding our dissatisfaction,
Stress and suffering.
That our suffering is ultimately caused by our clinging and craving in an ever-changing,
Impermanent universe.
That there is a true and permanent end to suffering.
And that the way to reach this end is the Eightfold Path.
2.
Right Thought has three aspects.
The thoughts which we extend to all beings should contain a kind of selfless detachment,
An absence of lust,
Benevolence,
Love,
And freedom from ill-will,
Harmlessness,
Non-violence,
And free from cruelty.
3.
Right Speech means speaking what is true,
Useful,
And beneficial,
Pleasant and gentle,
Timely,
Friendly,
And kind.
It is deeper and more comprehensive than the fourth precept.
It means refraining from telling lies,
Backbiting or slander,
Harsh,
Rude,
Impolite,
Or abusive language,
And frivolous,
Useless,
Idle talk or gossip.
4.
Right Action means refraining from killing,
Stealing,
Sexual misconduct,
And taking intoxicants.
Precepts 1,
2,
3,
And 5.
This is the basis,
Along with Right Speech,
Of moral,
Honorable,
And peaceful conduct.
Right Action involves cultivating loving-kindness,
Compassion,
Generosity,
And self-control.
Right Livelihood means that one should make one's living in a way that brings no harm to other living beings.
Five types of livelihood should be avoided.
1.
Trade in weapons 2.
Selling alcohol or intoxicating drugs 3.
Trade in poisons 4.
The slaughter of animals 5.
The trade in animals or human beings,
Meaning selling living beings 6.
Right Effort is about overcoming obstacles to our development.
It has four components,
Focusing on our cultivation of wholesome,
Useful,
Beneficial,
Good states and our elimination of unwholesome,
Meaning destructive,
Unskillful,
Evil states.
Right Effort is the effort,
The exertion,
The energetic will.
2.
1.
Prevent new unwholesome states from arising 2.
To get rid of those unwholesome states that have already arisen 3.
To cause,
Create,
And bring into being new wholesome states that have not yet risen 4.
To develop and cultivate and bring to perfection wholesome states which have already arisen 7.
Right Mindfulness is about being in the moment,
Aware of what is going on right now.
To practice Right Mindfulness,
We should try to be aware and attentive with regard to the activities of 1.
The Body Breathing meditation is one method to develop this aspect of mindfulness 2.
Feelings and Sensations Are they pleasant,
Unpleasant,
Or neutral?
Watch them appear and disappear 3.
The Mind Be aware if we are lustful or not,
Have hatred or not,
Are deluded,
Or seeing clearly 4.
Ideas,
Thoughts,
Mental Cooking,
And Conceptions Watch thoughts appear and disappear Are they beneficial?
Do they match with the truth of nature?
8.
Right Concentration is a four-phase development of mental control through meditative practices In Phase 1,
We let go of unwholesome mental states such as lust,
Worry,
Ill-will,
And restlessness,
Leading to a state of joy and well-being In Phase 2,
Mental activities come to a peaceful rest Our joy and well-being remain In the third phase,
The joy recedes,
Replaced by an alertness and mindfulness In the fourth phase,
All sensations disappear There is no more joy or sorrow No division between ourselves and the world And equanimity and mindful awareness remain These eight factors are aimed at the developing and perfecting of the three aspects of Buddhist training Ethical Conduct Morality Which includes right speech,
Right action,
And right livelihood Mental Discipline and Concentration Which includes right effort,
Right mindfulness,
And right concentration Which includes right understanding and right thought Dependent Origination Buddhism teaches the law of cause and effect There is no effect without a cause The principle of Dependent Origination,
One of the most profound Buddhist teachings,
Is a map of sorts,
Following 12 links of cause and effect One after another,
In the both rising and falling of a moment of thought and in the cycles of physical rebirth Each link in the chain causes the next link to occur Without the previous cause,
The following effect cannot arise These include the 12 stages 1.
Ignorance 2.
Activities 3.
Consciousness 4.
Mind and Matter 5.
Sixth Sense Spheres 6.
Contact 7.
Feeling 8.
Craving 9.
Attachment 10.
Becoming 11.
Birth 12.
Decay and Death
