PIYAVADANA
In the very first teaching to five acetics, namely Kondanna, Bhaddiya, Vappa, Mahanama and Assaji, the Buddha well proclaimed the path to end suffering. This is called Dhammachakka Sutta.
The Sutta taught these components.
1. Right View (Samma Ditthi) – The right way to think about life is to see the world through the eyes of wisdom and compassion. The right view or understanding.
2. Right Thought (Samma Sankappa) – Samma Sankappa means intention, motivation, and purpose. Right Intention comes right after Right view. Understanding of right view helps to difference the actual meaning of right intention and bad intention. We are what we think. Clear and kind thoughts build good, strong characters.
3. Right Speech (Samma Vaca) – The Buddha divides right speech into four components: Abstaining from lying, from divisive speech, from abusive speech, & from idle chatter: This is called right speech. Also by speaking kind, useful and helpful words, we are respected and trusted by everyone.
4. Right Conduct (Samma Kammantha) – Abstain from harming others: no killing or injuring, no taking what is not given, no sexual misconduct, no material desires.
5. Right Livelihood (Samma Ajiva) – This means choosing a business or employment that does not harm others. The Buddha said, “Do not make money by harming others. Do not seek happiness by making others unhappy.”
6. Right Effort (Samma Vayama) – also called “Right Diligence”, is the sixth component of the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path. Right Effort is to exert oneself to develop wholesome qualities and release unwholesome qualities. A worthwhile life means doing our best at all times and having love toward others.
7. Right Mindfulness (Samma Sati) – This means being aware of our thoughts, words, and deeds. There is the case where a person remains focused on the body in and of itself — ardent, alert, and mindful — putting aside greed and distress with reference to the world. He remains focused on feelings in and of themselves… the mind in and of itself… mental qualities in and of themselves — ardent, alert, and mindful — putting aside greed and distress with reference to the world. This is called right mindfulness.
8. Right Concentration (Samma Samadhi) – Focus on one thought or object at a time. By doing this, we can be quiet and attain true peace of mind. For sammā samādhi, it is necessary for the mind to be wholesome, it is necessary for the mind to be untainted. Only the one-pointedness of a wholesome mind can be called kusalacittekaggatā samādhi—samādhi free from defilements. Samādhi means that the mind is established in equanimity.
Following the Noble Eightfold Path can be compared to cultivating a garden, but in Buddhism one cultivates one’s wisdom. The mind is the ground and thoughts are seeds. Deeds are ways one cares for the garden. Our faults are weeds. Pulling them out is like weeding a garden. The harvest is real and lasting happiness….
https://www.satipatthana.net/noble-eightfold-path
May all sentient and celestial beings in the universe enjoy happiness!
