2.3.11

The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment

Test yourself

The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment

The Eightfold Path outlines eight principles to gain self-control. It provides practical guidelines for wisdom, mental discipline and an ethical life.

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Right view

  • This means that we need to understand that our actions have consequences.
  • Because of the cycle of rebirth, death is not the end.
    • Our actions can also affect our life after death.
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Right intention

  • This involves being willing to make life changes to follow the path to enlightenment.
  • For some people, this can involve becoming a monk.
  • Followers commit to a life that creates fewer attachments.
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Right action

  • People should learn how to live intelligently.
  • They should stay away from actions that harm others.
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Right speech

  • This means being honest and truthful because lies always cause suffering in the long run.
  • When you lie about, or to, someone you cause them to suffer.
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Right livelihood

  • It is important to follow a good way of life.
  • For example, the work we do must not inflict suffering.
  • The wrong livelihood might be trading in weapons, for example.
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Right mindfulness

  • Mindfulness means being aware of our own feelings and of the feelings of others.
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Right effort

  • This involves a commitment to meditation and trying to only have positive feelings.
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Right concentration

  • Over time we can develop the ability to focus our thoughts.
  • We can prevent our minds from jumping from one thing to another.

Jump to other topics

1Year 7

1.1Origins of Abrahamic Faith

1.2Judaism

1.3Christianity

1.4Disciplinary Knowledge

2Year 8

2.1Islam

2.2Hindu Dharma (Hinduism)

2.3Buddhism

2.4Sikhi

2.5Atheism

2.6Philosophy of Religion

2.7Disciplinary Knowledge

3Year 9

3.1Life & Death

3.2Extremism

3.3Equality

4Additional Concepts

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