Eastern Philosopher Letter

Buddha desires to aid all persons in the search of freedom from suffering; it is a natural desire to pursue happiness, and a follower of the Noble Eightfold Path will realize personal happiness is not achievable without taking into account the happiness of others first.

The Noble Eightfold Path is referred to as the Middle way as it shuns extreme pursuits of happiness because these extremes have no lasting affect; following the Middle Way leads to tranquil enlightenment. Buddha teaches the Eightfold Path through wisdom using right understanding and right thought; morality using right speech, right action, and right livelihood; and meditation using right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

The Noble Eightfold Path is the Fourth Noble Truth: the only way to end suffering. All have knowledge, understanding, and familiarity with suffering and unpleasantness as is the nature of our cycles of existence; however, these living conditions are preventable because we understand how they come about; we believe it can be conquered; and we are prepared to follow the Noble Eightfold Path to freedom. The Eightfold Path is expressed as 'right,' meaning exalted, unmatched, unbeatable, untouchable, and perfect. They are 'right,' in that they compel the freedom from suffering, yet they are not an expression of external judgments, rather they are the cause that accomplishes the effect. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

Right Understanding

Understanding can be separated into two distinct categories: the conformist understanding which is scholarly in nature and the ultimate understanding which seeks to view things by their true nature, without the hollowness of providing conventional classifications. Right Understanding is the analysis, observation, and examination of things the way they really are which is only possible when the mind has been uncluttered of impurities and is completely engaged and matured by meditation. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

Right Thought

Right Thought is the conceptualization of a true frame of mind, and has three attributes: detachment from selfishness, love and kindness or the desire for happiness, and compassion or the desire to eliminate suffering. All Right Thought is completely entrusted with freedom and is neither negative nor extravagant, which starts the working idea of positive attitude and launches the proper motivation; Right Thought desires to produce understanding in others. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

Right Speech

Right Speech is honest verbal communication; the true articulation of understanding to others. The right remarks at the right time gift understanding and thought to others that instills belief and respect. Right Speech is Truth, an avoidance of intentional untruths. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

Right Action

Right Action endorses honor, morality, and peaceful conduct. Right action is subject to karma which is the law of cause and effect; it involves the mind, speech and body and moral behavior which lead to good karma in this life and any future lives. Right Action refrains from non-virtuous acts: acts of body are stealing, killing, and sexual transgressions; acts of speech are lying, slander, abuse, and gossip; acts of mind are harmful thoughts, lascivious mind, and a wrong view. Right Action is keeping one's actions above reproach. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

Right Livelihood

Right Livelihood denotes abstaining from earning a living by bringing harm to others, such as arms-trading, creating or selling drugs, killing animals, cheating, and so forth. One's profession must be honorable, blameless, and free from harm to any living being. Right Livelihood enables one to live more at peace with oneself because when livelihood does not perpetrate guilt and remorse or bad karma one is not affecting harm and suffering on others. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

Right Effort

Right Effort is the purification of one's mind to achieve the complete harmony of wisdom and compassion. Right Effort is accomplished in a four stage approach: 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 Effort is when all four stages are developed simultaneously. Right Effort is conceptualized in many activities, and while others may encourage favorable environments to Right Effort, it is one's own effort that enables one to realize enlightenment. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

Right Mindfulness

Right Mindfulness is the constant and consistent awareness and attention to conditions of the body, speech, and mind; in order to accomplish Right Mindfulness, one must keep in remembrance desired goals and the method to achieve those goals. Right Mindfulness dictates the conditions of one's life; Right Mindfulness constantly recalls one's goals and the means to achieve them, which has a two-part benefit to managing time wisely and abstaining from harmful activities. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

Right Concentration

Right Concentration blends insight and tranquility. One's concentration is limited due to the chaotic direction of thoughts, but thoughts can be restrained and retrained by meditation. Meditation builds tranquility, increasing one's sense of calm which is a desirable and pleasant state. This state is not permanent, nor is it meant to be; this state of tranquility is not the true freedom being sought; however, it is advantageous to developing insight by the use of concentration and awareness. (Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. 2005)

The factors of the Noble Eightfold Path should be developed simultaneously, but they may also be developed in a successive manner, each factor reliant on and surfacing from the preceding factor. Right Understanding leads to the creation of Right Thought which encourages Right Action and Speech. Right Action logically turns into Right Livelihood which directs Right Effort. Right Effort guides Right Mindfulness allowing for optimum conditions for Right Concentration to mature. From Right Concentration comes the realization of Right Understanding.

-Buddha

References

Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. (2005). Philosophy: The power of ideas (6^th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education