The Noble Eightfold Path

The "Noble Eightfold Path" (ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo) is the Buddha's practical answer to the problem of suffering - the concrete, do-able training that leads beyond it. In the earliest teaching it is the heart of the fourth of the Four Noble Truths: there is suffering; it arises from craving; it can end; and this path is the way to its ending. The word "path" can mislead - its eight parts are not eight steps taken one after another, but eight dimensions of a good life to be developed together, supporting one another.

The eight are traditionally grouped into three areas of training. Under wisdom: 1) right view - understanding reality as it is, especially the truth about suffering and its end; and 2) right intention - directing the mind toward letting go, goodwill, and harmlessness rather than greed and ill will. Under ethical conduct: 3) right speech - speaking truthfully and kindly, avoiding lies, harshness, and idle gossip; 4) right action - acting without harming, such as not killing, stealing, or exploiting; and 5) right livelihood - earning a living in a way that doesn't cause harm to others. Under mental discipline: 6) right effort - working to abandon harmful states of mind and to grow wholesome ones; 7) right mindfulness - clear, present awareness of the body, feelings, mind, and mental phenomena; and 8) right concentration - the steadying and unification of the mind in deep meditative calm.

"Right" here translates a word meaning something closer to "complete" or "well-aligned" than morally policed; the path is also called the Middle Way, since it steers between harsh self-denial and the chasing of pleasure. Shared across all Buddhist traditions, it offers a remarkably whole picture of human flourishing - how we think, speak, act, work, and pay attention all woven into a single way toward freedom from suffering.