Eightfold path

Eighfold path is:

 

1. (skt.: samma dithhi; tib.: yang dag pe ta wa) right view. Shakyamuni Buddha said: And what is right view? Knowledge with regard to suffering, knowledge with regard to the origination of suffering, knowledge with regard to the cessation of suffering, knowledge with regard to the way of practice leading to the cessation of suffering. This is called right view.

 

2. (skt.: samma sankappo; tib.: yang dag pe tog pa) right thinking. Shakyamuni Buddha said: And what is right thinking? Being resolved on renunciation, on freedom from ill-will, on harmlessness: This is called right resolve.

 

3. (skt.: samma vaca; tib.: yang dag pe ngak) right speech. Shakyamuni Buddha said: And what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech and from idle chatter: This is called right speech.

 

4. (skt.: samma kammanto; tib.: yang dag pe le kyi tha) right action. Shakyamuni Buddha said: And what is right action? Abstaining from taking life, abstaining from stealing, abstaining from unchastity. This is called right action.

 

5. (skt.: samma ajivo; tib.: yang dag pe tsho wa) right livelihood. Shakyamuni Buddha said: And what is right livelihood? There is the case where a disciple of the noble ones, having abandoned dishonest livelihood, keeps his life going with right livelihood: This is called right livelihood.

 

6. (skt.: samma vayamo; tib.: yang dag pe tsul wa) right effort. Shakyamuni Buddha said: And what, monks, is right effort? There is the case where a monk generates desire, endeavors, activates persistence, upholds and exerts his intent for the sake of the non-arising of evil, unskillful qualities that have not yet arisen... for the sake of the abandonment of evil, unskillful qualities that have arisen... for the sake of the arising of skillful qualities that have not yet arisen... for the maintenance, non-confusion, increase, plenitude, development, and culmination of skillful qualities that have arisen: This, monks, is called right effort.

 

7. (skt.: samma sati; tib.: yang dag pe dren pa) right mindfulness. Shakyamuni Buddha said: And what is right mindfulness? There is the case where a monk remains focused on the body in and of itself ardent, alert and mindful putting aside greed and distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in and of themselves... the mind in and of itself... mental qualities in and of themselves ardent, alert, and mindful putting aside greed and distress with reference to the world. This is called right mindfulness...

 

8. (skt.: samma-samadhi; tib.: yang dag pe ting nge dzin) right concentration. Shakyamuni Buddha said: And what is right concentration? There is the case where a monk quite withdrawn from sensuality, withdrawn from unskillful (mental) qualities enters and remains in the first jhana... enters and remains in the second jhana... enters and remains in the third jhana... enters and remains in the fourth jhana. This is called right concentration.