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IV. The Noble Truth Of The
Path
That Leads To The Extinction Of Suffering
The Two Extremes, and the Middle Path
SS. LVI. 11
To give oneself up to indulgence in
Sensual Pleasure, the base, common, vulgar, unholy, unprofitable; or to give oneself up to
Self-mortification, the painful, unholy, unprofitable: both these two extremes,
the Perfect One has avoided, and has found out the Middle Path, which makes one
both to see and to know, which leads to peace, to discernment, to enlightenment, to
Nibbaana.
The Eightfold Path
It is the Noble Eightfold Path, the
way that leads to the extinction of suffering, namely:
1. |
Right Understanding
Sammaa-di.t.thi |
|
III. Wisdom
Pa~n~naa |
2. |
Right Thought
Sammaa-sankappa |
|
|
|
|
3. |
Right Speech
Sammaa-vaacaa |
|
I. Morality
Siila |
4. |
Right Action
Sammaa-kammanta |
5. |
Right Livelihood
Sammaa-aajiva |
|
|
|
|
6. |
Right Effort
Sammaa-vaayaama |
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II. Concentration
Samaadhi |
7. |
Right Mindfulness
Sammaa-sati |
8. |
Right Concentration
Sammaa-samaadhi |
This is the Middle
Path which the Perfect One has found out, which makes one both see and know, which leads
to peace, to discernment, to enlightenment, to Nibbaana.
The Noble Eightfold Path
(Ariya-a.t.thangikamagga)
The figurative expression 'Path' or 'Way' has been
sometimes misunderstood as implying that the single factors of that Path have to be taken
up for practice, one after the other, in the order given. In that case, Right
Understanding, i.e. the full penetration of Truth, would have to be realized first, before
one could think of developing Right Thought, or of practising Right Speech, etc. But in
reality the three factors (3-5) forming the section 'Morality' (sila) have to be perfected
first; after that one has to give attention to the systematic training of mind by
practising the three factors (6-8) forming the section 'Concentrations (samaadhi); only
after that preparation, man's character and mind will be capable of reaching perfection in
the first two factors (1-2) forming the section of 'Wisdom' (pa~n~naa).
An initial minimum of Right Understanding, however, is
required at the very start, because some grasp of the facts of suffering, etc., is
necessary to provide convincing reasons, and an incentive, for a diligent practice of the
Path. A measure of Right Understanding is also required for helping the other Path factors
to fulfil intelligently and efficiently their individual functions in the common task of
liberation. For that reason, and to emphasize the importance of that factor, Right
Understanding has been given the first place in the Noble Eightfold Path.
This initial understanding of the Dhamma, however, has
to be gradually developed, with the help of the other Path factors, until it reaches
finally that highest clarity of Insight (vipassanaa) which is the immediate condition for
entering the four Stages of Holiness (see "The
Noble Ones" ) and for attaining Nibbaana.
Right Understanding is therefore the beginning as well
as the culmination of the Noble Eightfold Path.
M. 139
Free from pain and torture is this
path, free from groaning and suffering: it is the perfect path.
Dhp. 274-75
Truly, like this path there is no
other path to the purity of insight. If you follow this path, you will put an end to
suffering.
Dhp. 276
But each one has to struggle for
himself, the Perfect Ones have only pointed out the way.
M. 26
Give ear then, for the Deathless is
found. I reveal, I set forth the Truth. As I reveal it to you, so act! And that supreme
goal of the holy life, for the sake of which sons of good families rightly go forth from
home to the homeless state: this you will, in no long time, in this very life, make known
to yourself, realize, and make your own.
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