The Noble Eightfold Path
The Buddhist practises that can lead to the end of suffering and the cycle of rebirth: right views, right thinking, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right meditation. (also called the Middle Way, or the Threefold Way) is the fourth part (magga) of the The truths discovered by the Buddha during his enlightenment.. It gives Buddhists a path they can follow to end suffering. However, these are not steps but rather eight guiding principles that suggest the way to end suffering and ultimately achieve The realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth..
The Noble Eightfold Path is also known as the Threefold Way as it contains the three basic aspects of Buddhist life, which are ethics, meditation and wisdom. Each part of the Noble Eightfold Path falls within one of the elements of the Threefold Way:
| The Threefold Way | The Noble Eightfold Path |
| 1. Ethics | 1. Right action (behaving in a skilful way and not harming others) |
| 2. Right speech (speaking truthfully) | |
| 3. Right livelihood (earning a living in a way that doesn’t cause suffering or harm to others) | |
| 2. Meditation | 4. Right mindfulness (being aware of yourself and the emotions of others) |
| 5. Right effort (putting effort into meditation and positive emotions) | |
| 6. Right concentration (developing focus so that you are able to meditate) | |
| 3. Wisdom | 7. Right view/understanding (remembering that actions have consequences) |
| 8. Right intention (being clear about following the Buddhist path) |
| The Threefold Way | 1. Ethics |
|---|---|
| The Noble Eightfold Path | 1. Right action (behaving in a skilful way and not harming others) |
| The Threefold Way | |
|---|---|
| The Noble Eightfold Path | 2. Right speech (speaking truthfully) |
| The Threefold Way | |
|---|---|
| The Noble Eightfold Path | 3. Right livelihood (earning a living in a way that doesn’t cause suffering or harm to others) |
| The Threefold Way | 2. Meditation |
|---|---|
| The Noble Eightfold Path | 4. Right mindfulness (being aware of yourself and the emotions of others) |
| The Threefold Way | |
|---|---|
| The Noble Eightfold Path | 5. Right effort (putting effort into meditation and positive emotions) |
| The Threefold Way | |
|---|---|
| The Noble Eightfold Path | 6. Right concentration (developing focus so that you are able to meditate) |
| The Threefold Way | 3. Wisdom |
|---|---|
| The Noble Eightfold Path | 7. Right view/understanding (remembering that actions have consequences) |
| The Threefold Way | |
|---|---|
| The Noble Eightfold Path | 8. Right intention (being clear about following the Buddhist path) |
These eight actions are important as a person’s actions in life will determine what they are reborn as in their next life. Actions, and the consequences of actions. An important concept in Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.is gained through good actions (following the Noble Eightfold Path) and results in positive consequences. Bad actions (not following the Noble Eightfold Path) result in negative consequences.
Following the Threefold Way
Buddhists should begin with how they behave (ethics) as by clearing themselves of bad thoughts they will be in a better position to meditate. Buddhists can clear themselves of bad thoughts through following the ideas in the Moral guidance which Buddhists follow. and understanding that actions have consequences.
Meditation becomes easier the more it is done. It helps Buddhists to rid their mind of negativity.
Meditation leads Buddhists to gain wisdom, as by acting in a morally and ethical way, Buddhists can grow their wisdom.