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