Noble Eightfold Path

The Noble Eightfold Path, also known as the Path or the Middle Way, is one of the core beliefs of the Buddhist religion. It identifies eight practices that Buddhists follow to help end suffering.

Buddhists believe that life is full of suffering and that desire (or attachment) causes suffering. For example, if someone wants more money, he or she suffers because of that desire. Buddhism teaches that people can avoid desire and suffering. The steps of the Eightfold Path are meant to help people alleviate suffering and let go of the desires and attachments that cause it.

The Eightfold Path relates to another core Buddhist teaching, the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths identify the main tenants of the Buddhist religion: 1) suffering is real, 2) suffering is related to human desire, 3) humans can end their suffering, and 4) humans can use the Eightfold Path to alleviate their suffering.

Buddhists do not see the eight steps in the Path as having to be taken in a particular order. They also do not believe that one step has to be mastered before moving to the next. Instead, the steps in the Eightfold Path are meant to be undertaken at all times, with people constantly working on becoming better at the steps and living better lives with less suffering.

The Philosophy of the Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path includes eight steps that Buddhists follow. All the steps are very similar in all types of Buddhist traditions, but some traditions use different names for the ideas. For example, some traditions use the word right to describe each step in the process, and other traditions use the word perfect. The Eightfold Path includes the following steps.

Right Understanding: Having Right Understanding (sometimes called Right Belief, Right View, or Perfect Vision) means that a person believes in Buddha's teachings. A person with Right Understanding believes in the Four Noble Truths as well as karma (how past actions affect the future), the idea of the nonself (no individual is separate from the rest of nature), and the idea of impermanence (all things, including people, are impermanent).

Right Resolve: Having Right Resolve (sometimes called Right Intention, Right Aspiration, or Perfect Emotion) means that a person actively works against the pull of desire and feelings of attachment. It also means that a person avoids anger and hatred. Since anger and hatred are forms of attachment, they will cause suffering. Buddhists believe that people who try to avoid desire and attachment will be closer to nirvana, a state of enlightenment free from all suffering and concern.

Right Speech: Using Right Speech (sometimes called Perfect Speech) means that a person refrains from telling lies, engaging in gossip, using harsh words, and speaking negatively about others. People can still express their ideas, but when using Right Speech, they should consider the best way to talk to and about others. The point of Right Speech is to prevent Buddhists from causing suffering for other people.

Right Action: Living with Right Action (sometimes called Right Conduct or Perfect Action) means that a person lives peacefully and without aggression. It also means that people do not steal, harm others, or overindulge in sensual pleasure.

Right Livelihood: Having a Right Livelihood (sometimes called Perfect Livelihood) means a person chooses a living or a career that helps him or her live a peaceful life. For example, people who want to have a Right Livelihood should avoid jobs that would require them to kill animals, manufacture weapons, or engage in activities that could harm others.

Right Effort: Having Right Effort (sometimes called Perfect Effort) means that a person tries to be the best person he or she can be and abandons unwise desires.

Right Mindfulness: Having Right Mindfulness (sometimes called Perfect Awareness) means that a person pays attention and is mindful in everyday life. People who have Right Mindfulness do not focus all their attention on their own feelings, ideas, and musings. Instead, they focus on the present moment and stay engaged in whatever they are doing.

Right Meditation: Right Meditation (sometimes called Right Concentration or Perfect Samadhi) means that a person tries to concentrate or meditate in an attempt to reach enlightenment.

Origins of the Eightfold Path

The Eightfold Path and the other core beliefs of the Buddhist religion were created by a man called Buddha. Buddha was born Prince Siddhartha Gautama in about 566 BCE. He was born into a wealthy family, and his father shielded him from suffering for most of his young life.

When Siddhartha finally learned about the suffering in the world, he abandoned his life and sought enlightenment. When he was in his thirties, he reached enlightenment. After reaching enlightenment, he became the Buddha.

Buddha traveled around his country and taught others about the ideas that he had learned, including the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. Buddha believed that people should reexamine their ideas all the time, and he encouraged his followers to question even the things he taught them.

Buddhism is now practiced by people around the world. Different Buddhist traditions exist, but all Buddhists believe in following the Eightfold Path.

Bibliography

Boeree, C. George. "The Basics of Buddhist Wisdom." Shippensburg University. Shippensburg University. Web. 30 June 2015. http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/buddhawise.html

"The Eightfold Path." Order of Buddhist Contemplatives. Order of Buddhist Contemplatives. 2012. Web. 30 June 2015. http://obcon.org/dharma/buddhism/the-eightfold-path/

"Noble Eightfold Path." The Buddhist Centre Online. The Buddhist Centre Online. Web. 30 June 2015. https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/noble-eightfold-path

Nourie, Dana. "What Is the Eightfold Path?" Secular Buddhist Association. Secular Buddhist Association. 3 May 2013. Web. 30 June 2015. http://secularbuddhism.org/2013/05/03/what-is-the-eightfold-path/

Smith, Jean. The Beginner's Guide to Walking the Buddha's Eightfold Path. New York: Bell Tower, 2002. Print.