Eightfold path
eightfold path
[八正道・八聖道] (Skt arya-ashtanga-marga, ashtanga-marga, or ashtangika-marga; Pali ariya-atthangika-magga or atthangika-magga; Jpn hassho-do )
Also, noble eightfold path or eightfold holy path. An early teaching of Buddhism setting forth the principles for attaining emancipation.
They are
(1) right views, or correct views of the Buddha's teaching;
(2) right thinking, which includes right thought, right intent, and right aspiration;
(3) right speech, or avoidance of falsehood, slander, abuse, and idle talk;
(4) right action, or abstaining from all wrong deeds such as taking life and stealing;
(5) right way of life, or living while purifying one's thoughts, words, and deeds;
(6) right endeavor, to overcome evil in one's own life and make an uninterrupted progress in pursuing the way of truth;
(7) right mindfulness, which means always aspiring for the truth and keeping its pursuit in mind; and
(8) right meditation. In the doctrine of the four noble truths, the truth of the path to the cessation of suffering is regarded as the discipline of the eightfold path.
