Noble Eightfold Path

Noble Eightfold Path

Part of a series on
Buddhism
History
  • Timeline
  • Councils
  • Gautama Buddha
  • Later Buddhists
Dharma or concepts
  • Four Noble Truths
  • Five Aggregates
  • Impermanence
  • Suffering
  • Non-self
  • Dependent Origination
  • Middle Way
  • Emptiness
  • Karma
  • Rebirth
  • Samsara
  • Cosmology
Practices
  • Three Jewels
  • Buddhist Paths to liberation
  • Morality
  • Perfections
  • Meditation
  • Mindfulness
  • Wisdom
  • Compassion
  • Aids to Enlightenment
  • Monasticism
  • Laity
Nirvāṇa
  • Four Stages
  • Arahant
  • Buddha
  • Bodhisattva
Traditions · Canons
  • Theravāda
  • Pāli
  • Mahāyāna
  • Hinayana
  • Chinese
  • Vajrayāna
  • Tibetan
  • Outline
  • Buddhism portal

This is a guide to the Eightfold path. Enjoy The Noble Eightfold Path (Pali: ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo, Sanskrit: āryāṣṭāṅgamārga) is one of the principal teachings of the Buddha, who described it as the way leading to the cessation of suffering (dukkha) and the achievement of self-awakening. It is used to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena (or reality) and to eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion. The Noble Eightfold Path is the fourth of the Buddha's Four Noble Truths; the first element of the Noble Eightfold Path is, in turn, an understanding of the Four Noble Truths. It is also known as the Middle Path or Middle Way.

All eight elements of the Path begin with the word "right", which translates the word samyañc (in Sanskrit) or sammā (in Pāli). These denote completion, togetherness, and coherence, and can also suggest the senses of "perfect" or "ideal". 'Samma' is also translated as 'wholesome', 'wise' and 'skillful'.

In Buddhist symbolism, the Noble Eightfold Path is often represented by means of the dharma wheel (dharmachakra), whose eight spokes represent the eight elements of the path.

Read more about Noble Eightfold Path:  Origin, Threefold Division, Practice, Wisdom, Ethical Conduct, Samādhi, Acquired Factors, Cognitive Psychology

Famous quotes containing the words noble and/or path:

    “Some crimes get honor and renown by being committed with more pomp, by a greater number, and in a higher degree of wickedness than others. Hence it is that public robberies, plunderings, and sackings have been looked upon as excellencies and noble achievements, and the seizing of whole countries, however unjustly and barbarously, is dignified with the glorious name of gaining conquests.”
    —François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)

    “... my aim is now, as it has been for the past ten years, to make myself a true woman, one worthy of the name, and one who will unshrinkingly follow the path which God marks out, one whose aim is to do all of the good she can in the world and not be one of the delicate little dolls or the silly fools who make up the bulk of American women, slaves to society and fashion.”
    —Ellen Henrietta Swallow Richards (1842–1911)