The Noble Eightfold Path

The Noble Eightfold Path, the practice which leads to the realisation of Nibbana is also known as The Middle Path as it avoids the extremes of self-indulgence and mortification. It comprises of:

Right Understanding
Right Thoughts
Right Speech
Right Actions
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

The eight steps of the path are undertaken by those who would perfect themselves in the way to Enlightenment propounded by the Buddha. The steps are often divided into 3 sections dealing respectively with Morality, Concentration and Wisdom.

MORALITY

The practice of Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood - the three steps termed Morality - are essential prerequisites for the attainment of inner calmness.

Right Speech not only entails telling the truth but also avoiding frivolous, harsh and vain talk. Much better to keep a noble silence than to hurt another with one's speech, said the Buddha.

Right Action aims at honourable, moral and peaceful conduct. Included in it is the abstention from taking any form of life, from dishonest acts like stealing, cheating, corruption and sexual promiscuity; and from taking liquor and drugs, both of which confuse the mind and causes much misery in family life.

Right Livelihood implies that one should earn one's living by honourable means. Work that involves killing living creatures, including the trade of waepons and poisons, is discouraged. If anyone suffers as a direct result of one's work, then it is not Right Livelihood.

It will be apparent that in following these 3 steps, one's mind would be free from remorse and guilt. This is essential for the next step which is Concentration.

CONCENTRATION

This Concentration section of the path is an indispensable part in Buddhist mental training. In this section is included Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.

Right Effort is aimed at preventing the arising of unwholesome states of mind and encouraging wholesome states of mind.

Right Mindfulness is practised to see all states of mind and body as they arise and evolve. It is useful as to check against the proliferation of unskillful and useless mental and physical activity. Mindfulness is,in fact, the key to understanding the whole teaching of the Buddha. If mindfulness is present during one's meditation then there is the opportunity to realise in oneself the 3 characteristics mentioned earlier and see Reality.

Finally, in this section, we have Right Concentration. The mind is likened to a wild monkey, jumping from one attraction to another, ever seeking new delights. Concentration, necessary in daily activities is also most essential in meditation.

WISDOM

To attain Right Understanding and Right Thought, comprising the section in Wisdom, means to attain knowledge and insight into the Buddha's teachings through the actual experiencing of their truth for oneself. Belief has little value. When there is wisdom, allied with concentration, the defilements that pollute and cloud the mind can slowly be cleared away. This is not an intellectual exercise but one that can totally transforms the mind to an Enlightened state.