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Buddha's Noble Eghtfold Path (Short Version)
Buddha's Noble Eghtfold Path (Short Version)
Buddha's Noble Eghtfold Path (Short Version)
Charles Day*
www.desmoinesmeditation.org
INTRODUCTION
a. Of the Four Noble Truths: (1) Suffering is caused by (2) attachment and
(3) can be overcome (4) by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path;
b. The Three Characteristics of Reality—(1) the universal suffering or
unsatisfactoriness experienced by all living beings, (2) the impermanence
of all physical and mental phenomena, and (3) the interdependent,
interconnected, selfless nature of everybody and everything throughout
time and space;
c. The Law of Karma (Causality) and Intentionality; and
d. The Wheel of Conditioned or Co-dependent Arising.
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There are three levels of wisdom or understanding:
Buddha called greed, ill will or anger, and delusion regarding a separate self the
Three Primary Defilements or Impurities of the mind and considered them to be
the root causes of all suffering. They can be counteracted, weakened, and
eliminated by simply being aware of and mindful of their presence, as well as by
specifically cultivating the Four Great Virtues of lovingkindness, compassion,
altruistic joy, and equanimity. These virtuous qualities are considered innate, and
research has consistently shown that they emerge spontaneously as benefits of
regular meditation and other spiritual practices. The Intentions or motivations
underlying thoughts, as well as speech and behavior, are critical in causing,
increasing, and perpetuating suffering, as well as in preventing, weakening and
eliminating it. It is not the thoughts, words, and acts themselves but the
intentions behind them that produce karma, i.e., future positive or negative
consequences.
3. SKILLFUL SPEECH:
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a. Refrain from lying, deception, and exaggeration
b. Refrain from slander, gossip, and malicious talk
c. Refrain from harsh, abusive, profane, and impolite language
c. Refrain from idle, useless, and unnecessary speech
Stated positively, this means practicing truthfulness, kind, and gentle speech.
4. SKILLFUL ACTION:
a. Refrain from killing or harming living beings. Stated positively, this means
practicing compassion and reverence for all life.
b. Refrain from stealing, cheating, exploitation, or taking what is not freely
given. Stated positively, this means practicing lovingkindness and generosity.
b. Refrain from inappropriate sexual activity. Stated positively, this means
practicing sexual responsibility.
c. Refrain from abuse of alcohol, drugs, and other intoxicants. Stated
positively, this means practicing healthy eating, drinking, and living.
Skillful effort refers to intentionally mustering the will, energy, courage, and
discipline to mindfully practice all the steps on the Eightfold Path, to develop and
maintain a regular meditation practice, and to consciously sustain continued
psychological, social, and spiritual growth.
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happening in the present moment, of what is, without judgement, reaction,
commentary, or decision, and to be mindful of when any of the later arise.
Mindfulness can be practiced anytime during the day by simply turning the
attention to the breath while walking, waiting in line, or before answering the
phone, etc. Or one can be mindful of the moment-to-moment experiences in any
activity, e.g., washing dishes, dressing, brushing teeth, cooking, eating, etc.,
rather than allowing the mind to daydream or think thoughts unrelated to the
present activity. Buddha emphasized the Four Foundations of Mindfulness: (1)
body functioning and activity, (2) positive, negative, and/or neutral mental
reactions to sensory and cognitive stimuli, (3) moods, thought, emotions, and
other mental states of consciousness, (4) contemplation of mental states and
objects of consciousness, including specific teachings of the Buddha.