The Eightfold path

Samma Ditthi (Right view) - A person is aware of the reality of life. In the Nerada Thera the Buddha described this as ‘the understanding of suffering, of the origin of suffering, of the extinction of suffering, and of the path leading to the extinction of suffering’.

Samma Sankappa (Right thought) - Thinking only pure, wholesome, positive thoughts and only have good intentions.

Samma Vaca (Right speech) - Speaking truthfully and politely. It discourages cruel language and encourages meaningful speech which conducts spiritual development.

Samma Kammanta (Right action) - Acting in a moral way that benefits others and oneself through honourable and peaceful actions. Therefore discourages harmful actions towards others such as theft and violence.

Samma Ajiva (Right livelihood) - A career that benefits others and doesn’t cause any harm.

Samma Vayama (Right effort) - Being determined to avoid unwholesome or evil things.

Samma Sati (Right mindfulness) - Fully understanding your own motives and reasons for your actions. Buddhist scholar Saddhatissa refers to this as “gradually extending one’s awareness until every action, thought and word is performed in the full light of consciousness”

Samma samadhi (right concentration) - Focusing the mind during meditation, being completely detached from unwholesome states and an immersion into the four jhanas (absorptions of mediation).

The Threefold Trainings (the division of the Eightfold Path) -

Morality - Right speech, Right action, Right livelihood

Wisdom - Right view, Right thought

Meditation - Right effort, Right mindfulness, Right concentration

The Middle Way is the overarching principle of moderation, while the Eightfold Path is the specific guide to achieving this balance and the ultimate goal of Nibbana.

When it comes to applying the principles of morality, meditation and wisdom within a monastic context, Buddhist scholars Richard Gombrich and Edward Conze refer to the ethical ideals of:

Poverty:

  • few possessions

  • Must be homeless or without a permanent shelter - often regarded as a state of mind

  • Bowl for alms provides the opportunity to give (dana) for others

Chastity:

  • Total separation from family

  • Dedication to an independent life

  • Chastity is not about repression or viewing sex as inherently immoral, it is about helping the practitioner to detach themselves from worldly attachments and commitments.

Inoffensiveness:

  • Based on Hindu concept of ahimsa (non-violence)

  • Many Buddhists are vegetarian

  • Important part is intention - avoiding as much as possible even if impossible at times

  • Conze writes ‘… to diminish the involuntary slaughter, for instance, by being careful about what we tread on when walking in the woods.’

Mediation and study:

  • A major part of the life of a monk or nun

  • the practice of concentration taught by the buddha - guidance can be found in the scriptures

  • study scripture to match the spiritual practice (meditation) and pursuit of nibbana with the intellectual understanding (study) of how best to go about it.

Tibetan Buddhism:

  • some Tibetan traditions have encouraged Lamas to marry

  • In the UK the principles of right action and inoffensiveness is often interpreted to mean that they should be vegetarian.

  • Much more varied in its meditation practices

  • Enlightenment is described differently - our bodies are miniature versions of the universe therefore the hidden energy of the universe lives in the individual - it is stored in the base of the spine - through images, sounds and movements this energy can be roused then the worshipper is suddenly put on the celestial plain with the Buddha’s full of power.