The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
Religious Studies: KS3, topic 2.3.11
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.
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.
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.
Right action
- People should learn how to live intelligently.
- They should stay away from actions that harm others.
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.
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.
Right mindfulness
- Mindfulness means being aware of our own feelings and of the feelings of others.
Right effort
- This involves a commitment to meditation and trying to only have positive feelings.
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.
Test yourself on The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment
What does the right action principle promote?