Buddhism - The Eight Fold Path

The Eight fold path, or the "Middle way", is the practical method that the Buddha prescribed to follow the wisdom and mindfulness that guides to inner peace, and freedom from suffering. The symbol for the middle way is the "Dharma wheel", with it’s eight spokes representing the key steps of the method. The symbol of the wheel and it’s symmetry, indicates the importance of applying all eight practices with equal measure, and with equal endeavour.

The Eight precepts can be divided into the following sub categories of Wisdom, Ethical conduct, and Mental discipline as follows :

Wisdom (Sanskrit: prajña, Pali: pañña)

1. Right view
2. Right intention

Ethical conduct (Sanskrit: sila, Pali: sila)

3. Right speech
4. Right action
5. Right livelihood

Mental discipline (Sanskrit and Pali: samadhi)

6. Right effort
7. Right mindfulness
8. Right concentration

1. Right view

Right view, or right understanding, refers to the understanding of the Four noble truths, and of the origins and reasons for suffering, or "Dukkha". It is awareness of these causes of suffering and the view to avoid them. To begin with the wisdom and knowledge to correctly perceive these causes.

"And what, monks, is right view? Knowledge with regard to stress, knowledge with regard to the origination of stress, knowledge with regard to the stopping of stress, knowledge with regard to the way of practice leading to the stopping of stress: This, monks, is called right view" - Magga-vibhanga Sutta

2. Right intention

Right intention, or right resolve is the nurturing of correct motive towards the teachings. It is right aspiration, in pursuit of wisdom and the freedom from suffering of oneself and of others. It is the practice of goodwill towards others.

"And what is right thought? Being resolved on renunciation, on freedom from ill will, on harmlessness: This is called right thought". - Magga-vibhanga Sutta

3. Right speech

Right speech is in direct consequence of right intention. It follows that, if one has the right intention and right thoughts, then right speech will follow in accordance with this thinking. It is best summed up by the Buddha himself.

"And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, abstaining from divisive speech, abstaining from abusive speech, abstaining from idle chatter: This, monks, is called right speech". - Magga-vibhanga Sutta

4. Right action

Right action, or right conduct, is the moral guide for the daily life of a monk. It incorporates the "Five precepts", which excludes killing of any life, stealing and sexual indulgence and misconduct.

"And what, monks, is right action? Abstaining from taking life, abstaining from stealing, abstaining from unchastity: This, monks, is called right action". - Magga-vibhanga Sutta

5. Right livelihood

This includes the right intention and attitude towards a livelihood, and also, to the pursuit of an occupation of kindness and harmlessness to others, and animals. This, together with right intention and right action, is to serve an occupation that follows these guidelines. An occupation that may involve negative motives such as deceit or lying is to be avoided.

6. Right effort

Right effort or right resolve is the endeavour to practice the teachings will the fullness of one’s being and attention. To refrain from idleness or ill thoughts that compromise the knowledge and wisdom of the teachings. It is the right effort to make amends for any wrong doing, or incorrect motive or actions.

"Proper effort is not the effort to make something particular happen. It is the effort to be aware and awake in each moment, the effort to overcome laziness and defilement, the effort to make each activity of our day meditation".

7. Right mindfulness

Right mindfulness is the pursuit of concentration whilst in meditation. The practice of being alert to the mind and body at every moment.

"And what, monks, is right mindfulness?

(i) There is the case where a monk remains focused on (his/her) body in and of itself ... ardent, aware, and mindful ... having already put aside worldly desire and aversion.

(ii) (He/she) remains focused on feelings in and of themselves ... ardent, aware, and mindful ... having already put aside worldly desire and aversion.

(iii) (He/she) remains focused on the mind in and of itself ... ardent, aware, and mindful ... having already put aside worldly desire and aversion.

(iv) (He/she) remains focused on mental qualities in and of themselves ... ardent, aware, and mindful ... having already put aside worldly desire and aversion.

This, monks, is called right mindfulness". - Magga-vibhanga Sutta

8. Right concentration

This is an extension of right mindfulness, in the pursuit of total awareness in meditation.

"And what, monks, is right concentration?

(i) Quite withdrawn from sensuality, withdrawn from unwholesome states, a monk enters in the first jhana: rapture and pleasure born from detachment, accompanied by movement of the mind onto the object and retention of the mind on the object.

(ii) With the stilling of directed thought and evaluation, he enters and remains in the second jhana: rapture and pleasure born of concentration; fixed single-pointed awareness free from movement of the mind onto the object and retention of the mind on the object; assurance.

(iii) With the fading of rapture, he remains in equanimity, mindful and fully aware, and physically sensitive of pleasure. He enters and remains in the third jhana which the Noble Ones declare to be "Equanimous and mindful, (he/she) has a pleasurable abiding."

(iv) With the abandoning of pleasure and pain...as with the earlier disappearance of elation and distress...he enters and remains in the fourth jhana: purity of equanimity and mindfulness, neither in pleasure nor in pain.

This, monks, is called right concentration". - Magga-vibhanga Sutta

"And this, monks, is the noble truth of the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering -- precisely this Noble Eightfold Path -- right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration". -- Samyutta Nikaya LVI.11

The method for understanding the delusions and suffering caused by the mind, offers an effective way of challenging the root causes of suffering, and to finding freedom and release. Through the understanding and practice of the Four noble truths, together with the Eight fold path, the Buddha offers a form of self help as good as any psychologist would prescribe. And all this without the need for drugs or repressing treatments that modern society is far to keen to dispense.

The path of the Buddhist does involve the practice of meditation, and abstention from all drugs and alcohol. This is not an easy path, although the rewards are great. However, the wisdom and understanding of the Four noble truths and Eight fold path may be practised by novices, and still achieve results. It is the ethical conduct, and mindful awareness that can be practised by beginners and non-Buddhists alike.

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