The 4 Noble Truths / The Eightfold Path:

Introduction:

This is standard Buddhist teaching - but it is very useful for a Westerner when regarded as a great tool. The Four Noble Truths all lead up to the brilliance of the Eightfold Path. The Eightfold path is a wonderful tool. Each area is like a spoke of a wheel. You are only as strong as your weakest area. Of what use is right thought if you do not have right action? Of what use is right action if you are carried into wrong speach? What good is the right livelihood (job) without correct effort? And what good is great effort if you lack understanding of what you are doing?

Each area helps, supports, and constrains every other area. Ask yourself: Are you in control of all areas? Are you doing well in all areas?

Do not be confused by terms! Simply get a good background of the 4 Noble Truths - then ask yourself if you are hitting all of the Eightfold Noble Path.

THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS

The Eightfold Path:

The Noble Eightfold Path, discovered by the Buddha Himself, is the only way to Nirvana. It avoids the extreme of self-torture that weakens one's intellect and the extreme of self-indulgence that retards one's spiritual progress. The Noble Eightfold path consists of all the aspects that restrain our life. They are like the spokes of a wheel. You are only as strong as your weakest area. Perhaps you think the right thoughts, but lack the correct action. You might have the correct action, but it does not matter if you do not have the right understanding of what you are doing. You may be doing the correct effort, but if you do not have correct concentration, you will fail.

It consists of the following eight factors:

1. Right Understanding is the knowledge of the Four Noble Truths. In other words, it is the understanding of oneself as one really is.

The keynote of Buddhism is this Right Understanding. Buddhism, as much , is based on knowledge and not on unreasonable belief.

2. Right Thoughts are threefold. They are:

The thoughts of renunciation which are opposed to sense-pleasures.
Kind Thoughts which are opposed to ill-will.
Thoughts of harmlessness which are opposed to cruelty. These tend to purify the mind.

3. Right Speech deals with refraining from falsehood, stealing, slandering, harsh words and frivolous talks

4. Right Action deals with refraining from killing, stealing and unchastity. It helps one to develop a character that is self-controlled and mindful of right of others.

5. Right Livelihood deals with the five kinds of trades which should be avoided by a lay disciple. They are:

(a) trade in deadly weapons (b) trade in animals for slaughter (c) trade in slavery (d)trade in intoxicants (e)trade in poisons

Right Livelihood means earring one's living in a way that is not harmful to others.

6. Right Effort is fourfold, namely:

(a) the endeavor to discard evil that has already arisen.
(b)the endeavor to prevent the arising of unrisen evil.
(c)the endeavour to develop that good which has already arisen.
(d)the endeavour to promote that good which has not already arisen.
Effort is needed to cultivate Good Conduct 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 happiness and Enlightenment depends upon one's own efforts. Effort is the root of all achievement. If one wants to get to the top of a mountain, just sitting at the foot thinking about it will not bring one there. It is by making the effort of climbing up the mountain, step by step, that one eventually reaches the summit. 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 result.

7. Right Mindfulness is also fourfold:

8. Right Meditation / Concentration:

Meditation / Concentration means the gradual process of training the mind to focus on a single object and to remain fixed upon the object without wavering. The constant practice of meditation helps one to develop a clam and concentrated mind and help to prepare one for the attainment of Wisdom and Enlightenment ultimately.