Buddhism For Beginners 8: The Eightfold Path (Animated) - RKINA
Basic Buddhism. The Eightfold Path.
The Eightfold Path consists of Right View, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
The word Right that is prefixed to every word in the doctrine of the Eightfold Path means to be in accord with the Buddhist teaching of Universal Truth.
It means to be in harmony with the Dharma. It involves looking at things from a viewpoint that is not self-centered.
This is a viewpoint that comes from a clear, open mind that takes into account other perspectives and other possibilities.
The meaning of Right is expressed in the term, The Middle Path, which is illustrated by the Parable of the Harp,
where we learn that a person who looks at life with a well-balanced point of view and without prejudice,
who sees things with a clear mind, can see the real state of things.
A person who has truly attained enlightenment is one who has chosen a way of life that is in harmony, a life perfectly fit to deal with any circumstances.
Right View means to abandon a self-centered way of looking at things, to have a Right View of the Buddha, and to see all things clearly.
Right Thought means to go beyond a self-centered attitude and think from a higher standpoint.
It teaches us to abandon the three evils of the mind.
That's 1. Greediness, or thinking only of personal gain.
2. Resentment, or becoming angry when things don't turn out the way we want them.
And 3. Evil-mindedness, or wanting to have our way in everything.
With Right Thinking, one begins to think of things with a generous mind, a Buddha mind.
Right Speech teaches us to use right words in our daily lives and to avoid the four evils of the mouth.
That's 1. Lying, or false language.
2. A double tongue, or gossip.
3. Ill-speaking, or slander.
And 4. Improper language, or careless language.
Right Action means daily conduct according to the precepts of the Buddha.
It is important to refrain from the three evils of the body that hinder Right Action.
That's 1. Unnecessary killing.
2. Stealing.
And 3. Irresponsible sexual practices.
Right Livelihood means to gain food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities of life through a vocation
that is useful to society and beneficial to one's mental, emotional, and physical health.
Right Effort means to apply oneself diligently on each aspect of the path
and to engage constantly in right conduct without being idle or deviating from the right way,
avoiding such wrongs as the three evils of the mind, the four evils of the mouth, and the three evils of the body mentioned above.
Right Mindfulness means to be mindful and remain in the present moment without judgment,
practicing with the right mind as the Buddha did.
It cannot be truly said that we have the same mind as the Buddha unless we have a right mind
not only towards ourselves but also towards others and still further towards all things.
If we hope that only we ourselves may be right,
we will become stubborn and self-satisfied people who are alienated from the world.
We cannot say that we have the same mind as the Buddha
unless we address ourselves to all things in the universe with a fair and balanced mind.
Right Concentration, often referred as meditation,
means to practice quieting the mind and developing the ability to single-pointedly focus the mind
so that we do not become agitated by any change of circumstances.
This reminds us to practice consistently the right teaching of the Buddha.
Taken all together, the doctrine of the Eightfold Path is the teaching that guides us in our daily practice of mindful living.
It purifies thoughts, words, and deeds.
The Eightfold Path