Noble Eightfold Path
The Noble Eightfold Path, along with the Four Noble Truths makes up the foundational teachings of Buddhism. These are the core and the primary teachings given by the Buddha, upon which all other teachings rely. The path is not linear. You cannot start at step one and end at step eight. Each step is interdependent on each other step, and as we practice one element, we strengthen all the other seven. This path is the prescription given us by the great physician, Shakyamuni Buddha and it is the method which is sure to liberate us from suffering. The eightfold path is the Fourth Noble Truth given by the Buddha.
The path consists of three divisions; Prajna or wisdom, Precepts or morality, and Samadhi or mental development. The steps on the path belonging to the Prajna division are Right View and Right Intention. The steps belonging to the Precepts division are Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. The steps belonging to the final division of Samadhi are Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
Here is a little more detail on each of the steps:
1. Right View
Right View means to see things as they really are. It means to see reality without adding the delusions of the ego on top of it. Right View also means seeing and understanding the Four Noble Truths; all beings suffer, suffering is caused by craving, desire, and ignorance, there is a way to end suffering, and the way is to follow this path. Right View is sometimes called Right Understanding. Our understanding creates our reality, so Right View leads to the other steps on the path.
2. Right Intention
Right Intention refers to volition; the energy that directs our actions. With Right View in place, we must then develop the will or volition to act upon our Right Views. This will or volition is called Right Intention. We develop the intent to follow the Buddha's teachings and to share them with others. We develop the intent to do no harm to other living beings. Right Intention includes the intent to live in accordance with the Five Buddhist Precepts of not killing, not lying, not committing sexual misconduct, not stealing, and not taking intoxicants. You can easily see how Right Intention must be developed in conjunction with all the other steps on the Eightfold Path.
3. Right Speech
Right Speech is the first of the Precepts or morality division of the path. It has to do with how we use speech to support the other elements of Buddhist practice, such as avoiding false speech, harsh speech, and idle chatter. It also refers to not gossiping about others, not speaking words that may offend or hurt others, and only using speech to develop understanding and compassion. Right Speech includes the notion that we should speak about what the Buddha taught when we have the opportunity to do so without offending others. If someone wants to learn about Buddhism, we must employ right speech to teach only those concepts and practices with which we are familiar, and to refer the person to a qualified teacher for instruction on those aspects with which we are unfamiliar.
4. Right Action
Right Action is the second part of the Precepts division, and it refers to the physical actions we take. This would include the Precept of not-killing, and of no sexual misconduct. Also included in Right Action is getting enough exercise, enough sleep, and enough of the proper kinds of foods to eat. Actions we take and actions we don't take are equally important in our development as Buddhists. This also includes not taking that which is not given - no stealing.
5. Right Livelihood
Right Livelihood refers to the way in which we make our living. We should strive to maintain a job that fits in with the Buddha's teachings - that means we should not work in the trade of weapons, illegal drugs, animals for slaughter, or other types of work that create suffering. We should avoid any kind of occupation that could result in the violation of the precepts, or in the harming of other beings. Everyone has to make a living, but not at the expense of our precepts, virtue, or morality.
6. Right Effort
Right Effort is very closely related to the second step or Right Intention. Having developed the intention to follow the path, we must also make the effort. It's not good enough to want to live morally and to develop our mental capacities; we must make the effort as well. Once we have developed the intention, we have to put that intention into action with Right Effort. We should use Right Effort to prevent the arising of yet-to-arise unwholesome states, to abandon unwholesome states that have already arisen, to arouse wholesome states that have not yet arisen, and to maintain and perfect wholesome states already arisen.
7. Right Mindfulness
Right Mindfulness means being fully present in whatever activity we are engaged in at the time. It means working without allowing deluded thoughts to interfere with our attention to our work. Right Mindfulness is present when we are fully aware of whatever activity we are involved in, whether it is washing the dishes, driving the car, sitting in Zazen, teaching our children, or even going to the bathroom. Whatever we do, we should do with full intent and complete attention. That is right mindfulness.
8. Right Concentration
Right Concentration refers to the development of mental clarity that comes through the practice of meditation. Concentration is a combination of mindfulness and focus, resulting in clarity. In meditation, we focus our awareness on a single object - usually the breath for beginning practice. This practice if done repeatedly and regularly serves to intensify and increase our ability to concentrate. If we practice Right Concentration regularly, every interaction throughout the day is easier, and stress and confusion become distant memories. Gradually, through this process, we are able to see reality as it is. We are able to perceive on a much more subtle level, and our powers of perception deepen. All of this leads to being able to better understand each step of the path, and leads ultimately to liberation from suffering - also known as nirvana.