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The Noble Eightfold Path as the Dhamma Vehicle (Dhamma-yana):
"This is a designation for this noble eightfold path: 'the divine vehicle' and 'the vehicle of Dhamma' and 'the unsurpassed victory in battle'.
"Right view, Ananda, when developed and cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.
"Right intention, when developed and cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.
"Right speech, when developed and cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.
"Right action, when developed and cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.
"Right livelihood, when developed and cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.
"Right effort, when developed and cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.
"Right mindfulness, when developed and cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion.
"Right concentration, when developed and cultivated, has as its final goal the removal of lust, the removal of hatred, the removal of delusion."
"In this way, Ananda, it may be understood how this is a designation for this noble eightfold path: 'the divine vehicle' and 'the vehicle of Dhamma' and 'the unsurpassed victory in battle.'"
-- SN XLV.4
An ancient path re-discovered:
"It is just as if a man, traveling along a wilderness track, were to see an ancient path, an ancient road, traveled by people of former times. He would follow it. Following it, he would see an ancient city, an ancient capital inhabited by people of former times, complete with parks, groves, and ponds, walled, delightful. He would go to address the king or the king's minister, saying, 'Sire, you should know that while traveling along a wilderness track I saw an ancient path...I followed it...I saw an ancient city, an ancient capital...complete with parks, groves, and ponds, walled, delightful. Sire, rebuild that city!' Then the king or king's minister would rebuild the city, so that at a later date the city would become powerful, rich, and well-populated, fully grown and prosperous.
"In the same way I saw an ancient path, an ancient road, traveled by the Rightly Self-awakened Ones of former times. And what is that ancient path...? Just this noble eightfold path: right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration...I followed that path. Following it, I came to direct knowledge of aging and death, direct knowledge of the origination of aging and death, direct knowledge of the cessation of aging and death, direct knowledge of the path leading to the cessation of aging and death. I followed that path. Following it, I came to direct knowledge of birth... becoming... clinging... craving... feeling... contact... the six sense spheres... name and form... consciousness, direct knowledge of the origination of consciousness, direct knowledge of the cessation of consciousness, direct knowledge of the path leading to the cessation of consciousness. I followed that path.
"Following it, I came to direct knowledge of processes, direct knowledge of the origination of processes, direct knowledge of the cessation of processes, direct knowledge of the path leading to the cessation of processes. Knowing that directly, I have revealed it to monks, nuns, male lay adherents, and female lay adherents, so that this holy life has become powerful, rich, detailed, well-populated, wide-spread, proclaimed among celestial and human beings."
-- SN XII.65
Enlightenment is accessible only to those who follow this path:
"In any doctrine and discipline where the noble eightfold path is not found, no contemplative of the first... second... third... fourth order [stream-winner, once-returner, non-returner, or Arahant] is found.
"But in any doctrine and discipline where the noble eightfold path is found, contemplatives of the first... second... third... fourth order are found.
"The noble eightfold path is found in this doctrine and discipline, and right here there are contemplatives of the first... second... third... fourth order. Other teachings are empty of knowledgeable contemplatives. And if the monks dwell rightly, this world will not be empty of Arahants."
-- DN 16
The Path:
Of paths, the eightfold is best. Of truths, the four sayings. Of qualities, dispassion. Of two-footed beings, the one with the eyes to see.
Just this is the path - there is no other - to purify vision. Follow it, and that will be Mara's bewilderment.
Following it, you put an end to suffering and stress. I have taught you this path for knowing the extraction of arrows.
It's for you to strive ardently. Tathagatas simply point out the way. Those who practice, absorbed in jhana: from Mara's bonds they'll be freed.
-- Dhp 273-276