Daily Buddhism

The Eightfold Path Step 8: Right Concentration

Right concentration together with right mindfulness, is concerned broadly with the practice of Buddhist meditation.

According to the Pali canon, one of the classic Buddhist scriptures, right concentration is dependent on the development of all the preceding steps upon the eightfold path:

The Blessed One said: ‘Now what, . . . → Read More: The Eightfold Path Step 8: Right Concentration

The Eightfold Path Step 7: Right Mindfulness

Right mindfulness, also translated as ‚ÄúRight Memory,‚Äù together with concentration, is concerned broadly with the practice of meditation. Roughly speaking, ‚Äúmindfulness‚Äù refers to the practice of keeping the mind alert to phenomena, both internal and external as they are affecting the body and mind. It concerns seeing yourself . . . → Read More: The Eightfold Path Step 7: Right Mindfulness

The Eightfold Path Step 6: Right Effort

Right effort, also known as “right endeavoring”, concerns the Buddhist practitioner’s continuous effort to keep his or her mind free of thoughts that might impair his or her ability to realize or put into practice the other elements of the Noble Eightfold Path.

I have mentioned in the past, that a . . . → Read More: The Eightfold Path Step 6: Right Effort

The Eightfold Path Step 5: Right Livelihood

“Right Livelihood” is the goal of trying to make a living with right thought, speech and actions. You don’t have to give up everything and become a propertyless monk, but no Buddhist practitioner should engage in trades or occupations which, either directly or indirectly, result in harm to other . . . → Read More: The Eightfold Path Step 5: Right Livelihood

The Eightfold Path Step 4: Right Speech

This is the Buddhist way of saying “watch your mouth.”

One important Buddhist scripture explains, “…what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, abstaining from divisive speech, abstaining from abusive speech, abstaining from idle chatter: This, monks, is called right speech.” This is all very simple to understand, and pretty much . . . → Read More: The Eightfold Path Step 4: Right Speech

The Eightfold Path Step 3: Right Action

Right action is also called “right conduct,, and involves how to behave in the physical world from day to day. Some examples of the “rules” are to avoid killing, stealing and sexual misconduct.

These three are obviously serious offences, but for the most part are not an issue for most . . . → Read More: The Eightfold Path Step 3: Right Action

The Eightfold Path Step 2: Right Intention

Right intention is also called “right thought”, “right resolve”, or “right aspiration” or “the exertion of our own will to change”. It involves your commitment and your reasons for following the tenets of Buddhism. Do you really want to give up desire? Are you willing to make . . . → Read More: The Eightfold Path Step 2: Right Intention

The Eightfold Path Step 1: Right View

This week, we start discussion of the Eightfold Path, Buddha’s “cure” for the suffering of this world. The first two steps on the path, Right View and Right Intention, are often paired together and called the “Wisdom” portion of the path. Right Speech, Action, and Livelihood fall into . . . → Read More: The Eightfold Path Step 1: Right View