The Noble Eightfold Path
What is the noble Eightfold Path?
Perfect Speech
Perfect Action
Perfect Livelihood
Perfect Effort
Perfect Mindfulness
Perfect Meditation
Perfect Understanding
Perfect Thought
What is the noble Eightfold Path?
The Noble Eightfold Path (the Fourth Noble Truth) is a systematic and complete formula to rid dissatisfaction and attain True Happiness. It contains everything needed for virtuous living, clarity of understanding and the attaining of Wisdom. The 8 factors of the Noble Eightfold Path can be divided into 3 aspects called the Threefold Training:
- Moral Conduct:
- Perfect Speech
- Perfect Action
- Perfect Livelihood
- Mental Development (Concentration)
- Perfect Effort
- Perfect Mindfulness
- Perfect Meditation
- Wisdom
- Perfect Understanding
- Perfect Thought
Perfect Speech
We should make an effort to notice and comment upon others’ good qualities and achievements instead of venting our anger or frustration on them. We can give each other moral support, console them in times of grief, and share with them the Dharma. Speech is a powerful tool to influence others. When used wisely, many will benefit. Perfect Speech includes the avoidance of:
- Lying
- Tale-bearing
- Harsh Speech
- Idle Talk
We should:
- Praise when Appropriate
- Criticize only Constructively
- Spread the Truth
- Say Healing Words
- Remain Silent when Necessary
Perfect Action
The practice of Perfect Action involves the respect for the life, property and personal relationships of others. It helps to develop a character that is self-controlled and mindful of the rights of others. Perfect Action include the avoidance of:
- Killing
- Stealing
- Sexual Misconduct
Perfect Action also includes physically acting in ways that benefit others. This includes helping and rescuing others from danger or suffering.
Perfect Livelihood
Perfect Livelihood means earning one’s living in a way that is not harmful to others. In the choice of one’s occupation, one should show respect for the life and welfare of all beings.
There are five trades that the Buddha considered as unworthy means to make one’s living. They should be avoided as they cause suffering and unhappiness to others or create disunity in society. The trades that ought to be avoided are trade in:
- Deadly Weapons
- Animals for Slaughter
- Slavery
- Intoxicants
- Poisons
Perfect Effort
Effort is needed to cultivate Virtue or develop one’s Mind, because one is often distracted or tempted to take the easy way out of things. The Buddha teaches that attaining True Happiness and Enlightenment depends upon one’s own efforts. Effort is the root of all achievement. Thus, no matter how great the Buddha’s achievement may be, or how excellent His Teaching is, one must put the Teaching into practice before one can expect to obtain the desired results.
There are four types of Perfect Effort that should be practiced:
- Effort to Prevent the Arising of Unwholesome Thoughts (of Craving, Aversion and Ignorance)
- Effort to Rid Unwholesome Thoughts that have Arisen
- Effort to Develop Wholesome Thoughts (of Generosity, Loving-kindness and other positive qualities)
- Effort to Maintain the Wholesome Thoughts that have Arisen (even when they are not appreciated by others)
Perfect Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an essential quality in everyone’s daily activities. It is a mental factor that enables us to remember, and keep our awareness and attention on what is beneficial in terms of thoughts, words and deeds. For example, when we awake in the morning, we can determine, “Today I will try not to harm others and will benefit them as much as possible.” Mindfulness helps to keep this thought in our Mind all day and makes us aware of whether our daily actions correspond to this motivation. The Mind must be constantly aware of what is happening for neither mishaps nor misgivings to occur.
Perfecting Mindfulness is necessary if one is to progress towards Wisdom and Enlightenment. The Mind must be controlled and protected against distractions. Greed and Anger should be consciously avoided. Attention is given to the Mind because it is through the Mind that everything is comprehended, interpreted and understood. If lasting happiness is to be attained, the undisciplined Mind must first be looked after. To tame the Mind is to tame the world.
Perfect Meditation
Meditation is the gradual process of training the Mind to focus on a single object, and to remain fixed upon that object without wavering. The object of concentration may be a material thing such as a flower or a quality such as Loving-kindness. Even if one was to practice meditation for fifteen minutes a day, one will begin to experience its benefits. The constant practice of meditation helps one to develop a calm and concentrated Mind, and prepares one for the attainment of Wisdom and Enlightenment ultimately.
Perfect Understanding
Perfect Understanding is the seeing of all things as they really are, rather than as they appear to be. In order to see things as they really are, one must observe one’s self and situation carefully, examining the meaning of what is observed. It is the true knowledge of all things realized by oneself through practice.
An inquiring and analytical attitude is important in acquiring Perfect Understanding. The Buddha taught us not to rely upon hearsay, tradition or authority for the Truth but to judge the Truth in the light of our own unbiased and objective experience. The Buddha taught that just as a wise man does not accept any metal that glitters as being gold on the advice of another, but tests its properties for himself, so should one not accept what is heard without testing it by one’s own experience.
Nonetheless, in seeking the Truth, one can do well to turn to the Teachings of the Buddha for help. This is the first step towards developing Perfect Understanding. One should listen to and study the Teachings of the Buddha and the explanations of qualified teachers. But listening to the Buddha’s Teachings alone is not enough. One must also be attentive and try earnestly to remember and practice it.
The Buddha says developing Perfect Understanding is like a blind man who has his eyesight restored, and whose attitude towards things he used to like and dislike changes because he can now see them accurately.
Perfect Thought
Thoughts influence one’s words and actions. If one speaks or acts out of Greed or Anger, then one will speak or act wrongly and suffer consequently. It is necessary to purify one’s thoughts if one really wishes to improve one’s conduct. Perfect Thought is knowing how to use the knowledge that we have for the benefit of one and all.
Perfect Thought means to avoid Craving and Ill Will, and to cultivate thoughts of Renunciation (giving up Attachment), Loving-kindness and Compassion. Craving should be avoided because it can never be fully satisfied, leading to unwholesome actions. Thoughts of Renunciation remove Craving, while thoughts of Loving-Kindness and Compassion remove ill will.
Quoted from the Book Be a Lamp upon yourself
