The Nobel Eightfold Path Flashcards
what is the noble eightfold path?
The Theravada belief that is practical guidance to focus on being a buddhist, often represented as a wheel
what Is the Path described as?
it is like a raft “for crossing over not holding on to”
what are the threefold trainings?
- Wisdom (panna)- seeing the world as it really is
- ethical behaviour (sila)- treating others kindly
- mental discipline (samadhi)- meditation and mindfulness
what is wisdom (panna)?
- seeing the world as it really is- right view
* being aware of the intention behind our actions- right thought
what does right view mean?
seeing the world as it really is, free from all delusion and ignorance. it includes:
- accepting the necessity of Dukkha and the four noble truths
- accepting that everything is impermanent- anicca
- accepting that we have no self- anatta
what does right thought mean?
avoiding acting with intentions of hatred, greed and ignorance (3 poisons)
what is morality (sila)?
compassion (metta) and lovingkindness (karuna) is what should motivate all our actions, not the 3 poisons
we become free from delusion and bad intention through meditation
what does right speech mean?
speech which is motivated by kindness and compassion not hatred and greed, buddhists avoid improper speech such as lying, gossip and slander
what are the 5 tests in the vacca sutta which test right speech?
“is it spoken at the right time? Is it spoken in truth? Is it spoken out of kindness? Is it spoken beneficially? Is it spoken with a mind of good will?”
what does right action mean?
actions should not be motivated by greed or hatred but by compassion. This can be by avoiding taking a life, avoiding causing harm. also means giving generously to others
what does right livelihood mean?
means earning our living and spending our money in a way that does not cause suffering
what is mental discipline (samadhi)?
it takes effort to free the mind from ignorance, greed and hatred
what does right effort mean?
generating commitment and effort required for the other aspects to happen, they may take this commitment when they “take refuge” as shows they have committed to goal of enlightenment
what does right mindfulness mean?
always being fully aware of our immediate state of consciousness and surroundings. Samatha meditation helps with this
what does right concentration mean?
refers to meditation and the teaching of the buddha. there are two main types of mediation Samatha and vipassana
