Eightfold Path

Eightfold Path (Sanskrit Astangika-Marga), description of the ethical precepts of Buddhism. The fourth of the Four Noble Truths, the eightfold path builds upon the belief that suffering is inherent in human life and presents the way one must follow in order to attain nirvana, a state of existence free of desire. As preached by the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, in his first sermon in the 6th century bc, the eightfold path is presented as an alternative to the extremes of self-indulgence and self-sacrifice. The eightfold path elaborates three broad categories upon which Buddhist teaching is based: morality, meditation, and wisdom. The components of the eightfold path are: (1) right understanding—that is, understanding of the nature of suffering in the world, (2) right thought (the desire to practice Buddhism), (3) right speech (avoidance of lies and slander), (4) right action (shunning extramarital sex and acts of cruelty), (5) right livelihood (refraining from immoral or unsuitable occupations), (6) right moral effort (cultivating a peaceful and good state of mind), (7) right mindfulness (self-awareness), and (8) right concentration (meditation).