Buddha's Eightfold Path Flashcards
The eight stages can be grouped into Wisdom (right understanding and intention), Ethical Conduct (right speech, action and livelihood) and Meditation (right effort, mindfulness and concentration). The Buddha described the Eightfold Path as a means to enlightenment, like a raft for crossing a river. Once one has reached the opposite shore, one no longer needs the raft and can leave it behind.
Right Understanding - Sammā ditthi
Accepting Buddhist teachings. (The Buddha never intended his followers to believe his teachings blindly, but to
practise them and judge for themselves whether they were true.)
Right Intention - Sammā san̄kappa
A commitment to cultivate the right attitudes.
Right Speech - Sammā vācā
Speaking truthfully, avoiding slander, gossip and abusive speech.
Right Action - Sammā kammanta
Behaving peacefully and harmoniously; refraining from stealing, killing and overindulgence in sensual pleasure.
Right Livelihood - Sammā ājīva
Avoiding making a living in ways that cause harm, such as exploiting people or killing animals, or trading in intoxicants or weapons.
Right Effort - Sammā vāyāma
Cultivating positive states of mind; freeing oneself from evil and unwholesome states and preventing them arising in future.
Right Mindfulness - Sammā sati
Developing awareness of the body, sensations, feelings and states of mind
Right Concentration - Sammā samādhi
Developing the mental focus necessary for this awareness
