![]() In Hinduism, the association of the Dharma wheel with the sun was carried over through the Hindu deity, Surya, whose name is the Sanskrit word for “sun”. It may have symbolized the sun during this time. This includes being mindful of the classic five hindrances and actively working to overcome them.Although the Dharma Wheel, also known as the dharma chakra, is associated with Buddhism and Hinduism, it predates both these religions, with its original appearance in the Indus Valley civilization. Instead, we should persistently nurture skillful, beneficial behaviors. It’s not enough to stop behaving in harmful or unhelpful ways. Right effort addresses the qualities of mind we must cultivate to remain vigilant along the path. If our role at work entails cheating, deceiving, being dishonest or behaving in harmful ways, we’re not practicing right livelihood. Traditionally, this meant not earning a living by selling weapons, other people, meat, alcohol or poison. Right livelihood is the commitment to ethical business practice. Most of us spend a large portion of our lives in pursuit of livelihood. Instead, we actively support life, practice giving and respect the relationships and boundaries of others. We refrain from killing other living beings, stealing, or harming others with our sexual behavior. Right action is to cease harming others with our body, too. We refrain from harsh or abusive speech, and avoid idle speech, remaining silent unless we have something useful to say. ![]() We avoid speaking in ways that are divisive. We refrain from lying and do our best to communicate clearly. Right view and noble intention guides us to cease speaking in harmful ways. We intend to follow the eightfold path not to benefit the illusory separate self, but do so in the service of love and compassion. Right intention is also the practice clarifying our why. Speaking and acting in beneficial ways begins with a calm, present and stable state of mind. Right intention is the commitment to foster this moment-to-moment mindfulness of thought. If we truly believed this, we would be far more mindful of every act of body, speech and mind. Our own actions can prevent future unnecessary pain. ![]() This is the basis of the four noble truths. Because karma exists we benefit from living in a way that minimizes harm. To practice right view is to remember that our actions have consequences. The eight elements of the path are as follows… 1. If we feel uncomfortable defining our actions as ‘right,’ it’s perfectly ok to replace this word with another to clarify the intent. In English, the eightfold path commonly makes use of the word ‘right.’ Translated from the Pali samma, this word could also be defined as skillful, wise, thorough, proper, or perfect. No one spoke comes first, and each helps turn the wheel. To remind us of this, the eightfold path is symbolically represented by a dharma wheel with eight spokes. We can practice each of these actions simultaneously, as each supports the other. ![]() While this Buddhist life path is numbered, it’s not meant to be seen as a series of steps. By following the eightfold path, we stop causing our own suffering. Acting in a noble way leads to positive consequences, while doing the opposite is certain to lead to negative ones. If we have trouble believing in past and future lives, that’s ok, we can still understand consequences. Why? Because doing these things leads to a calmer, more emotionally stable, peaceful and happier life.īy acting in accordance with the noble eightfold path, we generate the merit and good karma that leads us to a better rebirth in the next life. Living ethically, practicing meditation, and developing the wisdom to see things as they truly exist are basics of Buddhism. Follow their example, and you can become enlightened too. In other words, these are the actions of people who are free from their suffering. This path is described as noble because it’s followed by those who are noble, or wise. The fourth noble truth teaches that the cause of the end of suffering is adherence to the eightfold path. We are the cause of our own suffering, and we have the power to end it. The first noble truth taught us that unenlightened life is destined to be disappointing. The Buddhist eightfold path, known as the Noble Eightfold Path, are the specific instructions the Buddha gave as part four of the Four Noble Truths. Why Is The Eightfold Path Important? (Putting an End to Suffering)
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