Eightfold Path of the Buddha. Eightfold Path for Society.

Themes for transformation - personal, social and global

The Buddha offered the Eightfold Path to awakening, fulfilment and the dissolution of suffering. He described the end of greed, blame and ignorance as Nirvana.

Right refers to a fulfilling way of life for one’s development and full awakening.

Photo shows flyers on one of the walls in Totnes, Devon, England

THE BUDDHA’S EIGHTFOLD PATH

1.      Right Understanding/Right View. To understand suffering, its causes, its resolution and the way to its resolution.

2.      Right Intention: To be clear our intentions remain free from the desire to exploit, harm or hurt another (s).

3.      Right Speech. To speak/write what is true and useful with calmness and clarity to the right people in the right time, place and the subject matter.

4.      Right Livelihood. To engage in work, duties and activities creative, healthy and skilful that serve the wellbeing of society and the natural world.

5.      Right Action. To be clear about actions of body, speech and mind and the relationship to results/consequences/fruits and outcome of actions. To apply ethics to diet, resources, lifestyle and experience of wellbeing.

6.      Right Effort. To apply a creative energy to challenging situations. To develop and sustain a wise approach to practices, tasks and ways of being.

7.      Right Mindfulness. To apply mindfulness to past, present and future for clarity, insights and wise responses to situations.

8.      Right Concentration/Meditation. To develop the heart/mind to know deep happiness, contentment and equanimity. To stay concentrated on what matters in the long term.

EIGHTFOLD PATH FOR SOCIETY

1.      Right Culture/Arts

2.      Right Education

3.      Right Environment

4.      Right Leadership

5.      Right Organisation/Network/Community

6.      Right Relationship

7.      Right Religion

8.      Right Sexuality

1.      Right Culture/Arts refers to wise application of values, languages, beliefs and ways of life that bring people together rather than divide. Free from egotism and consumerism, right art contributes to the creativity, insights and inspiration of audiences through music, literature, painting, dance etc.

2.      Right Education develops the heart/mind/body of those engaged in a learning process along with mutual co-operation. Right Education develops ethics, empathy and creativity. Such education includes wise use of knowledge, cultivation of spiritual awareness and wisdom for daily life.

3.      Right Environment/Economics addresses environmental issues, including protection of habitats of humans and animals, moderation of lifestyle and development of sustainable resources. Government/public/public have legal commitments to protect land, water and air.

4.      Right Leadership engages in service to other with a deep sense of empathy. Leadership offers guidance, practical skills, appropriate knowledge and support for all under the influence of the leader. Right leadership priorities the upliftment of others not personal gain, nor abuse power.

5.      Right Organisation/Network/Community develops social responsibility and puts citizens before profit. Such an organisation knows its ethical responsibilities, rejects corrupt practices and pays its taxes in full. The services/products of the organisation serve the public interest in supportive ways and the development of individuals, families and neighbourhoods.

6.      Right Relationship explores and reflects on relationships to people, animals and environment. Right relationships avoid feeding others with fear and blame. Right relationship points to selflessness at the expense of selfishness.

7.      Right Religion promotes a spiritual sensitivity to life. Such a religion appreciates deep inquiry, meditations and dialogue to realise insights and truths beyond the mundane/consumer mind. There is recognition of the depths of love that religion share and its social significance. This link includes relationship to secular, spiritual and religious values, including benefits and limits.

8.      Right Sexuality acknowledges differences in gender preference. Right sexuality makes love with love. Having sex with someone shows the ego of desire, which exploits another for personal pleasure. Right sexuality expresses trust, sensitivity and mutual respect before and after marriage.