The Noble Eight-fold Path

The Eightfold Path (Ariyo Attthangiko Maggo) is the means by which enlightenment may be realized. The historical Buddha first explained the Eightfold Path in his first sermon after his enlightenment, preserved in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta.

The Eightfold Path is:

1. Right View (Samma Ditthi)
2. Right Intention (Samma Sankappa)
3. Right Speech (Samma vaca)
4. Right Action (Samma Kammanta)
5. Right Livelihood (Samma Ajiva)
6. Right Effort (Samma vayama)
7. Right Mindfulness (Samma Sati)
8. Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi)


The Path is divided into three main sections: (1) wisdom (Panna), (2) ethical conduct (Sila) and (3) mental discipline (Samadhi).

1. Wisdom (Panna):
Right View and Right Intention are the wisdom path. Right View is not about believing in doctrine, but in perceiving the true nature of ourselves and the world around us. Right Intention refers to the energy and commitment one needs to be fully engaged in Buddhist practice.

2. Ethical Conduct (Sila):
Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood are the ethical conduct path. This calls us to take care in our speech, our actions, and our daily lives to do no harm to others and to cultivate wholesomeness in ourselves. This part of the path ties into the Precepts.

3. Mental Discipline (Samadhi):
Through Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration we develop the mental discipline to cut through delusion. Many schools of Buddhism encourage seekers to meditate to achieve clarity and focus of mind.