Noble Eightfold Path

Categories: Marga | Four Noble Truths | Seven Sets

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

• Chinese :  八正道 bazhendao
• Pali :  ariya attangka magga
• Sanskrit :  ārya astāngka marga
• Tibetan :  'phags lam yan lag brgyad

The Noble Eightfold Path was taught by the Buddha as the way that leads to the end of suffering. It forms the fourth part of the Four Noble Truths.

"And what, Oh Bikkhus, is that Middle Way which is found by the Tathagata, which giveth vision, which giveth knowledge, which tends to peace, higher wisdom, enlightenment and nirvana? It is this very Noble Eight Fold Path namely :

1. Right View,
2. Right Resolve,
3. Right Speech,
4. Right Action,
5. Right Livelihood,
6. Right Effort,
7. Right Mindfulness,
8. Right Concentration.

"This, Oh Bhikkhus, is that Middle Way found out by the Tathagata, which giveth vision, which giveth knowledge, which tends to peace, higher wisdom, enlightenment and nirvana".

- The Buddha in Dhammcakkappavattana Sutta, (Pali Canon)

The word Right is a translation of the word sammā (Pali), which denotes completion, togetherness, and coherence, and which can also carry the sense of perfect or ideal.

Each element of the Noble Eightfold Path are to be developed more or less as far as possible according to the capacity of each individual. They are all linked together and each element helps the cultivation of the others.

In the Great Forty Sutra (Pali Canon), the Buddha explains that cultivation of the Eightfold Path leads to the development of two further stages once arahantship has been reached:-

• Right Knowledge (sammāñāṇa)
• Right Liberation (sammāvimutti)

In Buddhist symbology, the Noble Eightfold Path is often represented by means of a Dharma wheel.

Reference

• The Wings to Awakening by Thanissaro Bhikkhu, Dhamma Dana Publications