The Eightfold Path
An introduction to the Noble Eightfold Path — the Buddha's practical guide to the end of suffering.
Overview
Have you wondered what did the Buddha teach: did he teach vipassana? Samatha? Mahayana? Theravada?
Wonder no more, as we will cover what is arguably the core teaching in Buddhism: the Eightfold Path (and Four Noble Truths)!
I have written this for people who are complete beginners, without access to Buddhist teaching resources (e.g. they are not near a Buddhist temple), and also those who might benefit from having some sort of initial structure in their Buddhist studies.
This series walks through each of the eight factors in turn — from Right View to Right Samadhi — with the core teachings that a practitioner needs to know.
It is entirely self-paced, and each page includes:
- explanations about the teaching
- Excerpts from scriptural texts across the different traditions (where possible)
- Exercise reflection questions
- Spaced repetition cards (using Orbit by Andy Matuschak)
The first observation to share is something that has always intrigued me in a slightly mind-boggling way: The Four Truths and Eightfold Path refer to each other.
The Noble Eightfold Path (ariya aṭṭhaṅgika magga) is the fourth of the Four Noble Truths taught by the Buddha. It describes the way of practice leading to the end of suffering.
The first factor of the Eightfold Path is Right View — and a central aspect of Right View is the Four Truths.
Already, you can see that there is something unique about this: it’s not just about seeing/viewing/knowing, but also about putting one’s views into action by body, speech and mind.
The Noble Eightfold Path
“And what is the noble eightfold path? It is right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion (samadhi).
And what is right view? Knowing about suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering.
The Fourth Noble Truth — the path
Now this, bhikkhus, is the noble truth of the way leading to the cessation of suffering: it is this Noble Eightfold Path; that is, right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right samadhi.
Bhikkhu Bodhi translation, SN 56.11 Discourse on the Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma
But let’s get into the rest of this:
Right View
-
Right View - Four Truths
An overview of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.
-
Right View - First Noble Truth & Non-Self
Suffering exists — how it is defined, and why it happens because of non-self.
-
Right View - Second Noble Truth
Suffering is caused by three kinds of wanting or craving.
-
Right View - Cause & Effect (Kamma)
Intention, kamma, and how we are not doomed to suffer forever.
-
Right View - Third Noble Truth
When craving ends, suffering ends — and four ways of letting go.
The remaining factors
-
Right Motivation
The wholesome motivations of renunciation, non-ill-will, and harmlessness.
-
Right Speech
Speaking truthfully, kindly, and at the right time — abstaining from false, divisive, harsh, and idle speech.
-
Right Action
Acting ethically — abstaining from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct.
-
Right Livelihood
Earning a living in a way that does not harm oneself or others.
-
Right Effort
The four right efforts — preventing and abandoning unwholesome states, and developing and maintaining wholesome ones.
-
Right Mindfulness
Being aware of body, feelings, mind, and phenomena — the four foundations of mindfulness.
-
Right Samadhi
The collected, unified mind — the jhānas and their role on the path to liberation.