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8x Path - Introduction

INTRODUCTION | VIEW + INTENTION | SPEECH + ACTION + LIVELIHOOD | EFFORT + MINDFULNESS + CONCENTRATION



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is in-sight 		In the overall structure of the Buddha's teaching it is important to keep in mind the relative position of the Eightfold Path as the last of the four Noble Truths. These two inter-connected frames - introduced in his first teaching, the Dhamma Cakka sutta - are the springboard for all the Buddha's later teaching. Each frame is contained within the other: the 8-fold path is the fourth truth, and the first path-factor is understanding the four truths.
• The Eightfold Path was the teaching the Buddha gave to his first disciples, the group of five, and to his last, Subhadda - and to the majority in between.
• It is the most complete, standard representation of Buddhist practice covering doctrine, lifestyle and meditation.
• It is often referred to as the "Middle Way" - being a mid point between the extremes of sense indulgence and self-mortification (physical abasement). It avoids the extreme of sense indulgence by recognising the futility of desire and by emphasising the practice of renunciation, which isn't a tormenting of the body but a mental training. For this 'inner' work the body must be fit and healthy.

The image of a 'path' has an implied destination - an end - but appreciate that the path leads to, rather than causes, the destination. There is no doubt that a sustained effort is needed to follow the path - we need to do the work - but not to confuse the means with the end. A well know simile is that of the raft:
"... it was using this raft that, making an effort with my hands & feet, I crossed over safely to the further shore [nibanna]. What if I now place it on my head or carry it on my back...?"    Majjhima 22


action  >  result
 Another implied image of the path is that it is lineal - that one moves along it in a straight line, one step after another. If this were so, then on concluding the first step, Right Understanding, one would have finished with the Four Truths and the journey is complete and final! Theoretically possible but practically not. Here are three models or metaphors - there are likely more.
• An upward spiral
• Random progression
• 3-fold group - the classic.
• The first begins with the first factor - right view, or right understanding. We need to have some basic understanding of the 4 Truths, especially dukkha/tanha (1st & 2nd), otherwise motivation to begin the journey can be lacking. This understanding modifies or directs our intentions (to do good) which informs our actions (speech, body, livelihood - 3,4,5). The stability this brings to our life naturally leads to reflection - meditation(7 & 8). The trained mind sees more clearly and so we return (to 1). Our understanding is deepened, refined. We continue in this way but the 'distance' or 'time' for each cycle shortens as our mind is purified.
• Many people are not that systematic. Their life moves in spasms of enthusiasm, bursts of interest, bubbles of free time, etc. Each of these windows-of-activity will bring its own focus. Some times reading more, developing theory and understanding; giving attention to lifestyle, to meditation. Collectively it all adds to our spiritual 'credit.' This is kamma - action has result.
• The classic presentation of the 8-fold path divides the factors into three groups: morality (3-5), concentration (6-8) and wisdom (1-2). The main premise here is that a mind living in an immoral environment is constantly disturbed by fear, guilt, greed, aversion, etc. and has little stability or clarity to reflect on dhamma (the truth of the way things are). The beginning point is thus a 'cleaner' lifestyle. This helps the mind to settle which in turn opens the way to mind training (meditation) which lays the foundation for the arising of wisdom (insight).
The Pali terms are: sila - samadhi - pañña

cultivation 		Any model has limitations and, on a daily - or even momentary - basis, we can imagine that a combination of various factors are at work. All action (body speech or mind) includes a degree of mindfulness and concentration and springs from some underlying intention. There are relative degrees of wholesomeness and clarity of view in all our activity. The greater number of factors present the better the resulting quality (of life) - like strands of a rope that intertwine for greater strength.

In the Dhamma Cakka sutta the Buddha makes clear what needs be done in relation to each of the four truths.
• the first truth (suffering) is to be fully understood;
• the second truth (craving) to be abandoned;
• the third truth (cessation) to be realized;
• the fourth truth (the path) to be cultivated.
As with the eight-fold path we start with understanding but the critical point is that the path is to be cultivated. There is work to be done. Using the analogy of the gardener hoping to grow flowers. The soil is prepared, sown, weeded, watered, etc. - quite a lot of work. And the flowers? They come according to the laws of nature. We can't force flowers, we can't force peace of mind but we can make an applied and consistent effort to develop and sustain the conditions that support it.
INTRODUCTION | VIEW + INTENTION | SPEECH + ACTION + LIVELIHOOD | EFFORT + MINDFULNESS + CONCENTRATION