How to Practice the Buddhist Eightfold Path

The Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, attained awakening and went on to teach the truth about suffering and the way to liberation from suffering. The Four Noble Truths identify that suffering exists and the causes of suffering. The Eightfold Path is the means to end suffering by right living precepts.

Things You'll Need

• Buddhist scriptures (Dhammapada)
• Buddhist teacher
• Private practice space

Instructions

1. 

   Practice Right View or Right Faith. Right View is faith that nirvana (eternal peace) can be attained by ceasing to cling to a false idea of self. Right View is the view of nonself.

2. 

   Practice Right Aspiration or Right Thought, which arises from Right Faith. Right Aspiration aspires to renounce false self, to renounce selfishness and to live harmoniously with all sentient beings.

3. 

   Engage in the virtues that proceed from Right Thought. Right Speech prescribes honest and kind speech.

4. 

   Do those things that support the Buddhist goal to end suffering by Right Conduct. "Do no harm" encompasses every aspect of Right Conduct.

5. 

   Follow the path of Right Livelihood. How you earn a living has an impact on others and the world. Buddhism requires that you look deeply at the source of income and avoid those sources that cause suffering. Examples may be working at laboratories that conduct testing on animals or companies that cause pollution.

6. 

   Enter into the paths of inner purification. Right Effort controls the mind to cease being enslaved to passions and clinging. Avoid the extremes of self-indulgence and self-denial or mortification, an extreme form of self-abuse.

7. 

   Practice Right Mindfulness, which makes Right Effort possible. Engage your mind in higher efforts. Reflect on the harmful effects of clinging that leads to suffering.

8. 

   Occupy the mind with Right Meditation. Practice spiritual contemplation to be free from and transcend all thought on the path to nirvana.

Resources

• Lectures on the Eightfold Path at the White Wind Zen Community
• Philosophical contemplations at the Big View