{"id":104,"date":"2019-11-26T22:37:37","date_gmt":"2019-11-27T03:37:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/encyclopediabuddhicaf19.andrewquintman.wescreates.wesleyan.edu\/blog\/?p=104"},"modified":"2019-11-26T22:58:19","modified_gmt":"2019-11-27T03:58:19","slug":"the-eightfold-path","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/encyclopediabuddhicaf19.andrewquintman.wescreates.wesleyan.edu\/blog\/e\/the-eightfold-path\/","title":{"rendered":"The Eightfold Path"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Eightfold Path Components and their Sanscrit terms with an image of the Buddha with his top knot. (Tricycle: The Buddhist Review)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The Eightfold Path depicted with the Wheel of Dharma. When the wheel has four spokes, it represents the Four Noble Truths. Here, it has eight spokes, therefore, representing the Eightfold Path. (Buddha Weekly)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The eightfold path is essentially the guideline for living a Buddhist lifestyle with the intention of ultimately breaking samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth. The Buddha’s teachings are best comprised in the Four Noble Truths: the truth of suffering (Dukkha), the truth of the cause of suffering (the “Three Poisons”), the truth of cessation, and the truth of the path (The Eightfold Path). If the Buddha were a doctor, The Eightfold Path would be his prescription to end suffering. The Eightfold Path accounts for the \u201cpractice\u201d portion of Buddhism. \u201cThe principal, if not only, aim of the Buddhist path is to develop and cultivate\u201d the wholesome qualities of the mind, which include greed, hatred, delusion, non-attachment, loving-kindness, and wisdom (Gethin 80). If it weren\u2019t for the wholesome qualities, there would be no Eightfold Path. The Eightfold Path is not made up of steps, but rather components that work together. Until the components of the path can work to support one another, the Eightfold Path is separated into three \u201cstages\u201d of progress. The eight \u201cfolds\u201d of the Path are separated into three stages which are exhibited in the Table 1 below. The parts to the path are also color-coded to represent the different groupings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Eightfold Path outlined and separated into the appropriate groups. (Gethin) <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Right View (Samma Ditthi) <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The first component of the Eightfold Path is The Right View, which acts as the guide for the rest of the path\u2019s components. The Right View allows for an understanding of our path\u2019s trajectory. Without a strong foundation in the Right view would be like getting on a plane without a destination. You\u2019re going on a trip, but have no idea of the direction or destination. Our view has an influence on our actions. If the Eightfold path is the practice of a Buddhist lifestyle, the Right View is a crucial component to the Eightfold Path. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what exactly is the right view? \u201cThe Right View is having wise beliefs, feelings, and thoughts\u2026 which reduce suffering, and avoid increasing suffering\u201d (Ken Ward). Thus, the Right View is categorized under wisdom. We must have the wisdom to proceed along the path. The Right View calls for an understanding of the Four Noble Truths.
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The Right Intention (Samma Sankappa)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The intention is the key factor in actions. The Pali Sanscrit term is Samma Sankappa, which is sometimes translated as right thought. The Buddha describes Samma Sankappa in three parts: the intention of renunciation (Nekkhammasankappa), intention of good will (Abyapada Sankappa), and the intention of harmlessness (avihimsasankappa). For a clearer perspective, the counterparts of the right intentions include intention conducted by desire, intention conducted by ill will, and intention conducted by harmfulness. The positive counterparts counteract their negative counterparts. Right Intention leads way into action. Without a foundational practice in the right intention, it is difficult to set foot into the rest of the path and execute actions positively. When intentions are right, actions should be right as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right Speech (Samma Vaca)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The value of speech is oftentimes overlooked. This can be seen as someone can talk the talk, but not walk the walk\u2026 The Buddha describes Right Speech as a somewhat obvious fourfold: abstaining from false speech (musavada veramani), abstaining from slanderous speech (pisunaya vacaya veramani), abstaining from harsh speech (pharusaya vacaya veramani), and abstaining from idle chatter or gossip (samphappalapa veramani). What is considered harsh or slanderous may change with time, but awareness of speech is key. Speech has the power to hurt or help, to form bonds or break bonds, speech is an essential component to the Eightfold Path as it holds a lot of value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right Action (Samma Kammanta)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\u201cRight action means refraining from unwholesome deeds that occur with the body as their natural means of expression\u201d (Bhikkhu Bodhi). Unwholesome yet natural deeds include taking a life of any sentient being, stealing, and sexual misconduct. When a monk takes their vows, they agree to live a life of abstinence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right Livelihood (Samma Ajiva)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Right Livelihood refers to how one earns their living and ensures they do so righteously. \u201cFor a lay disciple the Buddha teaches that wealth should be gained in accordance with certain standards\u201d (Bhikkhu Bodhi). What does this mean? One should earn their living fair, legally, peacefully, without coercion, honestly, and in ways that will not cause others harm (e.g. working with weapons, living beings like slaughter or prostitution, butchery, poisons, and intoxicants). These means may not be considered moral or immoral in other stems of Buddhism such as Tantric Buddhism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right Effort (Samma Vayama)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Wisdom comes with concentration. Concentration comes with effort. Right Effort brings the energy to be able to pursue a concentration. Energy (viriya) is the mental force behind Eight Effort. There are both wholesome and unwholesome forms of energy. The Right Effort involves the exertion of wholesome energy or the energy in wholesome states of consciousness whose path is directed toward liberation from dukkha. Right Effort is what makes or breaks someone and their chance to reach liberation. It is the point where it is in the individual\u2019s hands to put forth Right Effort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right Mindfulness (Samma Sati)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Concentration is derived from Right Effort and Right Mindfulness. The Buddha says that the Dhamma, or his teachings, are of our own ultimate truth, and can only be understood if one\u2019s own experiences are understood. These experiences must be understood directly and to do so, Right Mindfulness is required. Right Mindfulness aids the mind to keep in the present moment and dismiss distractions as to contemplate the present. \u201cThe task is simply to note whatever comes up just as it is occurring, riding the changes of events in the way a surfer rides the waves on the sea\u201d (Bhikkhu Bodhi). The practice of mindfulness is common now in modern day-to-day life, as people believe the act of mindfulness helps to relieve stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We have come to the end of the Eightfold path. All components of the path aid in Right Concentration. \u201cConcentration represents an intensification of a mental factor present in every state of consciousness\u201d (Bhikkhu Bodhi). Concentration centers every level of consciousness. To be centered, the mind is unified. Commentaries define samadhi as \u201cthe centering of the mind and mental factors rightly and evenly on an object.\u201d An unconcentrated mind is compared by the Buddha to a fish flapping about when thrown onto dry land. A distracted mind is a deluded mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Congrats! You can now reach enlightenment\/liberation from suffering. Here, a Buddha is represented in a state of enlightenment as seen through its outer glow. (Higher Destiny Blog)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings <\/h4>\n\n\n\n