What is the Noble Eightfold Path?

This is the path to Nibbana as outlined by the Buddha. It offers a framework for the development of wisdom, morality and concentration, all of which are essential for spiritual progress:

1. Right Understanding

This entails an understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the other teachings of the Buddha.

2. Right Thought

To have right thought is to be free of sense desire, ill-will or cruelty and to possess thoughts of detachment, loving-kindness and compassion.

3. Right Speech

Right Speech comprises abstaining from lying, gossiping, and using harsh language.

4. Right Action

Right Action is abstaining from killing, stealing and from unlawful sexual intercourse.

5. Right Livelihood

Occupations that necessitate the breaking the five precepts are prohibited. For example, occupations that involve killing (whether animals or humans), sexual misconduct, deceit, taking intoxicating drinks or drugs. For example, trading in arms or prostitution.

6. Right Effort

There are four aspects to this: the effort to avoid the arising of evil, the effort to overcome evil, the effort to develop wholesome states and the effort to maintain wholesome states.

7. Right Mindfulness

This encompasses The Four Foundations of Mindfulness. This involves being mindful of 1. The body and bodily processes 2. Feelings 3. States of mind 4. thoughts, ideas, Buddhist teachings such as the Four Noble Truths

8. Right Concentration

The final factor focuses on developing meditative concentration leading to the eradication of the five hindrances and the experience of the four jhanas.

Right Understanding and Right Thought aim to cultivate wisdom, Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood relate to morality, and Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration are conducive to Concentration.

Return to Buddhist Index