We are honored to reprint and translate Master Su Chen's words here.
Today I would like to discuss with you what the Eightfold Path is and what it means to us.
1. Concept of the Eightfold Path
The Eightfold Path is one of the central doctrines of Buddhism, outlining the route to liberation and enlightenment for its followers. These eight paths include right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. Together, they form the behavioral and mental guidelines that Buddhists should follow.
Right view and right intention focus on understanding and reflecting on the true nature of life, including the knowledge of karma and reincarnation.
Right speech, right action, and right livelihood relate to personal ethical conduct, teaching how to express internal purity and integrity through words and actions.
Right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration, meanwhile, are about training the mind, cultivating the ability to focus and be aware, achieving mental peace and clarity.
2. Status of the Eightfold Path
In Buddhist philosophy, the Eightfold Path is not only a pathway for individual practice but also a cornerstone of all major Buddhist teachings. It is seen as the essential route to achieving Nirvana—a state of ultimate liberation and awakening. Through practicing these eight paths, practitioners can gradually purify their minds, overcome troubles, and ultimately reach complete mental liberation.
3. Significance of the Eightfold Path
The profound significance of the Eightfold Path lies in its comprehensive upliftment of human behavior and thought. It is not just a set of religious rules but a holistic lifestyle that guides individuals on how to properly handle interpersonal relationships, effectively manage their emotions and desires, and achieve mental balance and harmony through introspection and meditation. Additionally, the Eightfold Path encourages the development of empathy and compassion, crucial for fostering a harmonious society.
4. The Four Mindfulness-The Foundations of Cultivating Wisdom
As the foundation of cultivating wisdom, the four mindfulness practices provide practitioners with practical methods and specific objects of observation. These four mindfulnesses are: body mindfulness, feeling mindfulness, citta mindfulness, and dharma mindfulness.
- Body mindfulness: observe the existence and changes of the body, such as breathing, posture, movements, body feelings, etc. Practitioners can understand the impermanence and impurity of the body, thereby reducing their attachment to the beauty or eternity of the body.
- Feeling Mindfulness: Awareness of feelings or emotions, including pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral sensations. Recognizing that all feelings are temporary helps practitioners to no longer be attached to any feelings and learn to maintain equanimity in all feelings.
- Citta Mindfulness: Observe the state of the mind, such as whether it is greedy, angry, dull, distracted, or pure. By observing changes in the mind, practitioners can become self-aware of the ups and downs of their mental state, learn to control their emotions, and avoid being confused by troubles.
- Dharma Mindfulness: A deep understanding of the philosophy of Buddhism, such as the observation of the laws of impermanence, suffering, non-self, cause and effect, etc. A deep understanding of the philosophy found in Buddhism, especially the laws regarding the nature of suffering and the path to liberation, is key to achieving ultimate liberation and enlightenment.
In the Eightfold Path, "wisdom" is often a key that opens other paths. We often say whether a person has "wisdom root" is to say whether the person has sufficient "awareness". The wisdom here does not mean simple wisdom. A person with awareness is someone who can reflect and think deeply. He or she can fully understand every moment, every thought, every word, and every action.
Why do we say that the first of the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance is "ignorance"? Ignorance is confusion and stupidity. It blocks our awareness. Cultivating wisdom is itself an effective way to fight against "ignorance".
Through the practice of meditation, any ordinary person can continuously improve his or her awareness, that is, the root of wisdom, through years of practice.
5. Application in Daily Life: A Modern Workplace Example
In a modern work environment, a practitioner might use right speech to avoid lies and harsh words, striving to maintain honest and kind communication. When facing stress and conflicts, right mindfulness and right concentration can help maintain composure, addressing challenges with a peaceful mindset, thus harmonizing work and interpersonal relationships. Right view and right intention would prompt consideration of the long-term consequences of decisions, while right action and right livelihood guide the choice of professions that benefit both the individual and society.
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