The Noble Eight Fold PathThe Middle way

The Noble Eight Fold Path The Noble Eight Fold Path is

also known as the Middle Way It is a way of living between

the extremes It is a path to a more

favourable rebirth It is a path to enlightenment It is a path to peace, balance

and self harmony It is a path to happiness

The Noble Eight Fold Path Right intention Right thought Right speech Right action Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration

The Triple Way (The Threefold Way) Right view Right thought Right speech Right action Right livelihood Right effort Right mindfulness Right concentration

Wisdom

Morality

Meditation

Right View Seeing the true nature of reality Developing insight and understanding of reality Not simply academic knowledge Understanding the truth of impermanence Understanding the truth of no self Insight into selflessness Insight developed through meditation Seeing how one’s actions affect others

Right Thought

The right motivation to follow the path Intention to act in a selfless way Removing thoughts of a self Banishing selfish thoughts and replacing them with

selfless thoughts Focus to reach enlightenment

Right Speech No lies No gossip No boasting No talking behind people’s backs Using speech in a thoughtful way Speech can cause great harm Speech can also do good Compassionate, skilful speech is encouraged

Right Action Practical and demands application Doing the right thing Acting in a way that causes least harm or suffering Being aware of how actions affect others Being in control of one’s actions and the

consequences of them Intentional actions carry karmic consequences Cultivation of skilful action Elimination of unskilful action

Right Livelihood

Practical Doing a job or earning a living in a way that does not

cause suffering could be a doctor, nurse, vet Cannot work in an industry that exploits animals,

children or the environmentNot able to: Be a butcher Work in the Scottish whiskey industry Work for companies that cause environmental harm

such as destruction of habitats or pollution Being aware of the consequences of unskilful action

Right Effort The energetic will Diligence and effort to prevent unwholesome

states of mind Diligence and effort to prevent unwholesome

actions that result from unwholesome thought Cultivation of skilful thoughts and action

Right Mindfulness Being aware/mindful Being continually aware of the activities of

the body Awareness of how thoughts can lead to

actions Being continually aware of one’s own

feelings and thoughts

Right Concentration Mental effort Avoiding distractions of the mind Being in control of one’s own mind Developed through samatha meditation

The Triple Way: Wisdom, Morality and Meditation All three are cultivated together, at the same time Wisdom developed through meditation Morality developed through wisdom and

meditation Meditation develops insightfulness enabling one to

see how their actions affect others Seeing how actions affect others develops wisdom Wisdom developed through meditation helps one

to be in control of thoughts, actions and feelings Many other benefits achieved through the higher

trainings

The Noble Eight Fold PathYou will be: examining in depth, the Fourth Noble Truth, the Noble Eight Fold

Path Looking at the threefold division of the path into the Triple Way

You will be able to: Describe fully three parts of the path Explain why the Noble Eight Fold Path is called the Middle Way Explain the connectedness of the higher trainings of the Triple Way