Key Concepts in Buddhism and the Noble Eightfold Path

Four Passing Sights

Old Age, Illness, Death, Ascetic (Hermit)

The Truth of Suffering (Dukkha)

The first of the Four Noble Truths, the basic Buddhist insight that suffering is part of the human condition.

The Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Samuyada)

The second of the Four Noble Truths, selfish desire, which causes dukkha.

The Truth of the End of Suffering (Nirodha)

Suffering can be brought to cessation.

The Truth of the Path to the End of Suffering (Magga)

The solution to suffering is the Noble Eightfold Path.

Right Understanding

Learn the content of the Buddha's teachings, especially the Four Noble Truths.

Right Intent

Abandon the evil attitudes of greed, hatred, and delusion. Nurture the good attitudes of generosity, friendship, and insight.

Right Speech

Avoid vocal wrong deeds such as gossip, lying, abusive talk, and idle talk.

Right Action

Live morally by obeying the Five Precepts for all Buddhists, or ten precepts for monks and nuns.

Right Livelihood

Abstain from occupations that harm living beings, such as selling weapons, selling liquor, butchering, hunting, or being a soldier.

Right Effort

Maintain mental alertness so as to control the effect of the senses and to discriminate between wise and unwise mental activity.

Right Mindfulness

Through careful attention to helpful topics, develop the mental focus needed for meditation.

Right Concentration

Ascend through four levels of trance (some versions describe eight or nine levels), ultimately reaching a point of perfect tranquility, in which the sense of individual existence has passed away. This is the state of nirvana.

The Middle Way

A basic Buddhist teaching that rejects both the pleasures of sensual indulgence and the self-denial of asceticism, focusing instead on a practical approach to spiritual attachment.

Dharma

The teachings of the Buddha, and one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism.

Dukkha

The first of the Four Noble Truths, the basic Buddhist insight that suffering is part of the human condition.

Tanha

The second of the Four Noble Truths, selfish desire, which causes dukkha.

Sangha

The Buddhist community of monks and nuns; one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism.

Anatta

One of the Three Marks of Existence; the Buddhist doctrine denying a permanent self.

Anicca

One of the Three Marks of Existence; the Buddhist doctrine that all existent things are constantly changing.

Artha

Material success and social prestige, one of the four goals of life.

Bodhisattvas

Future Buddhas. As the ideal types for Mahayana Buddhism, beings who have experienced enlightenment but, motivated by compassion, stop short of entering nirvana so as to help others achieve it.

Mandalas

Patterned icons that visually excite; used in Vajrayana Buddhism to enhance meditation.

Mudras

Choreographed hand movements used in the rituals of Vajrayana Buddhism.

Mantras

Phrases or syllables chanted to evoke a deity or to enhance meditation; used in Hinduism and Buddhism, especially Vajrayana.

Theravada Buddhism

Way of the Elders; Dharma > Buddha; meditation; arhats - those who dedicate their lives to Buddha's ways (monks).

Mahayana Buddhism

The Great Vehicle; Dharma < Buddha; Devotion; bodhisattvas; China and Korea.

Vajrayana Buddhism

Vehicle of Diamond (Tibetian); you must kill off the energy that fuels desire and use it to help propel yourself towards enlightenment; mandalas and mantras; the Dalai Lama.