Transcript The Noble Eightfold Path is too Difficult a Path for Most

The Noble Eightfold Path is too
Difficult a Path for Most People to
Follow
Kate Macdonald
Buddhism is completely alien to our
western culture.
It does not;
• Pretend to describe our world as perfect.
• Include a God or creator.
Most Importantly it does;
• Directly address the
suffering that humankind encounters.
The Buddha requires us to
eliminate or limit Dukkha through
the Noble Eightfold Path.
Examples of the aspects of the
Noble Eightfold path that may not
be compatible with our culture;
• Celibacy
• Vegetarianism
• Begging for all essentials
For a Lay person the Noble
Eightfold path is not as strict
• Sexual relations are only expected to be
legitimate.
• Employment is permitted so long as it
does not harm another living being.
The Noble Eightfold Path is entirely continuous.
It lasts for a lifetime and requires utter
dedication.
The Stage of Ethics (Sila) includes;
• Right Speech (samma-vaca)
• Right Action (samma-kammanta)
• Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva)
Stages in the Ethics Section;
Develop a new awareness of ethical
issues and mental determinate that lead to
the resolution of any faults made.
Guidelines that Buddhists are
expected to keep at this stage;
• Five precepts
• Five livelihoods to
avoid
• The kind of speech to
refrain from
‘ Right Action aims at promoting moral,
honourable and peaceful conduct. It
admonishes us that we should abstain
from destroying life, from stealing, from
dishonest dealing, from illegitimate sexual
intercourse, and that we should also help
others to lead a peaceful and honourable
life in the right way’ Walpola Sri Rahula
The Section of Meditation includes;
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration
This section trains the mind to
control thoughts and feelings
and to prepare it for insight
into the truth of Samsara.
• Meditation is hard to master and is
acquired through time.
• Monastics are required to attain
spontaneous thought of good and a clear
mind.
One’s motivator would be the knowledge
of the truth of Samsara, and therefore as
soon as you are aware of this it would be
less difficult for the path to be followed as
there would be an understood purpose or
aim.
Conclusion
The overall path requires;
• The renunciation of many materialistic
items and the more idle ways of living.
• However with the knowledge and
understanding of the purpose of this one
can be motivated and determined to follow
the path with ease.