A Letter from Buddha to a Student

Thank you for inquiring about my health. I am well as I hope you are also. I was thinking about you and your journey to obtain a piece of paper that says that you have suffered for multiple years in search of an education. We go through our lives seeking to end the suffering we endure in this world and yet we knowingly attend university and submit ourselves to suffering in hopes that the final goal of graduation will bring us happiness. I believe that by following the Noble Eightfold Path, you, as a follower, can pursue this path of higher education and also the path to pursue personal happiness in a manner that is pleasing.

This journey is a lesson in moderation. If you walk to far to one side or the other, you will not reach enlightenment and your ultimate goal. You will need to balance right understanding, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindedness, and right concentration to find your way.

This Path is the Fourth of the Noble Truths and is the only way to end suffering. We must have a conscious knowing of suffering in order to break the cycle of its existence. By understanding where suffering comes from in our lives, we can believe it can be overcome, and that makes us prepared to walk the Path.

As I discuss the Path, think of how it can apply to your life as a student. Though in applying in this nature you may not reach enlightenment, it may bring you some peace when contemplating your life as a college student. Also, by listening to me and taking good notes, you may get a better grade in your World Religion course.

Let us begin with Right Understanding. This means seeing things in their true nature. This analysis, observation, and examination of things is only possible when the mind is cleared and matured by meditation.

Right Thought has three main characteristics. It is full of love and kindness or the desire for happiness, compassion or the desire to stop suffering, and it is without selfishness. Right thought cannot be negative and needs motivation. Right Thought desires to produce an understanding in others.

Right Speech is not only saying the right thing, but it is honest and respectful. It means being truthful and avoiding all intentional lies.

Right Action is very powerful. It is all about honor. There are three types of Right Action: acts of the body, acts of the mind, and acts of speech. These acts are all subject to karma. There is cause and effect. If the body, mind, or speech acts are not Right Actions, then the repercussions in this life and any future lives are negative. Following Right Action means not performing dishonorable acts such as stealing, killing, lying, slander, gossip, or harmful thoughts. All of a person's actions must be above reproach.

Having an honest and honorable livelihood is important and must not bring harm to others. Performing Right Livelihood means being blameless and free from harm to any other living thing, allowing peace with oneself, and no guilt or bad karma.

Right Effort purifies the mind so that harmony is achievable. To do this, there are steps that must be followed. They are: prevention of negative thoughts and ideas, abolishing negative thoughts and ideas already in place, creating positive thoughts and ideas, and encouraging and amplifying positive thoughts and ideas already in place.

Right Mindfulness is being constantly aware of one's body, speech, and mind. To do this, you must always remember the desired goals and the method to achieve those goals. Right Mindfulness dictates the conditions of one's life and will keep one from harmful activities.

Right Concentration is a combination of insight and tranquility. Your concentration is limited due to the chaotic direction of thoughts, but thoughts can be restrained and retrained by meditation. Meditation builds tranquility and increases the sense of calm.

Following the Eightfold Path is a journey, not a destination. Each one of the steps builds upon the other. The steps can be taken all at once or one at a time. How the steps in the Path inter-relate is all part of how we are part of this world. It is all connected. Think also how these steps can help you in your journey toward a higher education. Meditation may allow you to obtain Right Concentration. Right Mindfulness means that you will always have your goal of a degree in mind. Right Effort will keep you from becoming overwhelmed. I hope you will continue to do well in your studies, but always remember that there is more in life than the pleasure and whims of a professor though you must bow to their requests to reach your goal.

May your journey be swift and easy and light,

Buddha