The Noble Eightfold Path

the Buddha’s own words in explanation of the path factors, as found in the Sutta Piṭaka of the Pāli

“Bhikkhus, suffering exists because of the presence of birth and death. What gives rise to birth and death? Ignorance. Birth and death are first of all mental notions. They are the product of ignorance. If you look deeply and penetrate the causes of all things, you will overcome ignorance. Once you have overcome ignorance, you will transcend all th

This Middle Path is generally referred to as the Noble Eightfold Path (Arija-Aṭṭhaṇgika-Magga), because it is composed of eight categories or divisions: namely, 1. Right Understanding (Sammā diṭṭhi), 2. Right Thought (Sammā saṇkappa), 3. Right Speech (Sammāv ācā), 4. Right Action (Sammākammanta), 5. Right Livelihood (Sammā ājīva), 6. Right Effort (

we can observe the development of our relationship with suffering: Suffering is an unexamined and unavoidable constant. It is passively endured, with no questioning or reflection, serving as a persistent backdrop to life. Suffering is unavoidable, and we strive to accept it. Here, suffering is acknowledged as inevitable, and the focus shifts to cop

The Fourth Noble Truth describes the Eightfold Path of the Buddha’s Dharma, that is, the method or doctrine whereby self-frustration is brought to an end. Each section of the path has a name preceded by the word samyak (Pali, samma), which has the meaning of “perfect” or “complete.” The first two sections have to do with thought; the following four