The Noble Eightfold Path
While the Four Noble Truths cover the side of doctrine the Eightfold Path is given as a set of disciplinary practices. Mentioned in the forth Noble Truth this path is given as a cure for suffering in our lives and hope for enlightenment.
Right View
Right view or understanding is the first in the path and is a guide for all other factors. It helps one to understand not only the destination but also the starting point and the path along the way. It involves a correct understanding of the teachings of the Buddha, beginning with Four Noble Truths.
Right Intentions
A person’s right intentions involve one’s right thought or attitude. A person must have goodwill and harmlessness. When one’s intentions are right, one’s actions will be right.
Right Speech
One must abstain from false, slanderous, and harsh speech. Idle chatter is pointless talk that lacks purpose and could lead to defiling conversations. Right speech includes avoiding lying, gossip, and any other negative talk.
Right Action
A person must act correctly, following from right intentions, by adherence to the Buddha’s teachings.
Right Livelihood
Right livelihood means that one should live in a righteous way. A person should avoid certain occupations that could bring harm to oneself or others. A right livelihood does not make a living from anything that goes against the other Buddhist principles.
Right Effort
Right effort aims at overcoming unwholesome states, or states of mind that are tainted by defilement. One must put effort and energy into avoiding those states of mind that would lead to desire and wrong intentions.
Right Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a whole body and mind awareness of the present moment, always attentive to the world and what is going on around a person. Mindfulness involves noticing one’s body, feelings or sensations, mind, and mental approach.
Right Concentration
Buddhism teaches that a distracted mind is a deluded mind and therefore it must be trained to focus on its object without distraction. A concentrated mind helps a person to be steady and strong, in order to realize the true nature of things.