8-Fold
path
The
eightfold path is Buddha’s teaching outlining the way leading to spiritual
enlightenment and cessation of suffering (Smith 14). The Buddhists associate
following the path to great wisdom, which helps a person eradicate delusions,
hatred and greed.
The
first path is the called the rightful view. It means viewing the world as it is
with the understanding that all things are temporary; nothing exists without
dependencies and that there is no existence without suffering (Nyanatiloka 22).
This understanding guides one to perceive the world without greed, delusion and
hatred. Right view also explains how humans cling to the world’s views and
perceive them as permanent when they are not.
The
second path is right intention. It explains the need for people to be mindful
of their intentions with their actions and with others. When their intentions
are ridden with anger, greed or resentment, the propensity of doing evil is
higher than when their intentions are informed by a desire to help, understand
or make the world better. Intentions should guide meditation, speaking or
acting effectively. Mindfulness to intentions prior to action, writing or
speaking is a learning process that takes time. It is also a practice that
involves conscious setting of new intentions and replacing them with old ones
(Jarnot 17).
The
third path is right action. The path calls for people’s mindfulness to actions
and behaviors. Actions should be directed to helping and reducing suffering
rather than harming. People should develop an ethical mentality, whereby they
judge the outcomes of their actions whether it is harm or suffering for self
and others.
The
fourth path is right speech, which emphasizes people’s mindfulness to the
intention of their speech either talking or writing (Sangharakshita 16). They
should desist from lying, hurting feelings, gossiping, using confusing language
or annoying speech. These actions cause suffering to the affected people. The
desire to give an opinion, criticism or correction should be guided by an
examination of intentions, whether good or harm.
The
fifth path is right livelihood, which addresses the means through which people
earn a living. People should evaluate whether the means of livelihood helps others
or causes suffering. The path calls for people to assess their intentions when
interacting with co-workers, job requirements and their approach to work
ethics. They should desist from cheating employers or treating coworkers
unfairly (Sangharakshita 27).
The sixth path is right
effort. The path emphasizes on putting effort to our desired accomplishments
with the intention of reducing suffering. The efforts should develop compassion
and ethics rather than breed fear, greed, hatred and discrimination.
The
seventh path is right mindfulness. The path requires that the mindfulness
should help people to focus on the present to enable them interact
appropriately and desist from creating and worsening problems. Mindfulness,
together with proper effort and intention helps people to deal with the daily
occurrences appropriately (Nyanatiloka 13).
The
last path is right concentration. It requires focusing the mind on one thing,
excluding everything else. It thrives through meditation and requires the use
of right mindfulness, right intention and right effort (Sangharakshita 19). It
requires a free mind and helps people to avoid unskillful thinking. It creates
thoughts that harbor wisdom.
The
eightfold path should be revisited, reviewed and regurgitated regularly, laying
focus on the areas emphasized. The paths work harmoniously to develop each
other and practicing them is a process that should continue for a lifetime.
Observing the paths improves the quality of life and is highly rewarding.
Works
Cited
Jarnot, Lisa. The
Eightfold Path. San Francisco, CA: A+bend Press, 2000. Print
Nyanatiloka, . Buddha,
the Word: The Eightfold Path. Waiheke Island: Floating Press, 2008. Internet resource
Sangharakshita, The
Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path. Birmingham: Windhorse Pub, 2007.
Sangharakshita, and
Kulananda. The Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path: An Introduction. S.l.: Naxos AudioBooks, 2006. Sound recording
Smith, Jean. The
Beginner's Guide to Walking the Buddha's Eightfold Path. New York: Bell Tower,
2002. Print
2 comments
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An early formulation of the way to enlightenment in Buddhism, Pali Atthangika-magga, Sanskrit Astangika-marga. The Eightfold Path is first mentioned in what is considered to be the first sermon given by Buddhism's founder, Siddhartha Gautama, often known as the Buddha, after his enlightenment. There he lays out the Eightfold Path, a medium ground between austerity and sensuous delight. The phrase Astangika-marga, like the Sanskrit term Chatvari-arya-satyani, which means "Four Noble Truths," also denotes nobility and is often translated as "Eightfold Noble Path.". GET TALKING BEN THE DOG HERE FOR FREE!
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