The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering

Epilogue 

This completes our survey of the Noble Eightfold Path, the way to deliverance from suffering taught by the Buddha. The higher reaches of the path may seem remote from us in our present position, the demands of practice may appear difficult to fulfill. But even if the heights of realization are now distant, all that we need to reach them lies just beneath our feet. The eight factors of the path are always accessible to us; they are mental components which can be established in the mind simply through determination and effort. We have to begin by straightening out our views and clarifying our intentions. Then we have to purify our conduct — our speech, action, and livelihood. Taking these measures as our foundation, we have to apply ourselves with energy and mindfulness to the cultivation of concentration and insight. The rest is a matter of gradual practice and gradual progress, without expecting quick results. For some progress may be rapid, for others it may be slow, but the rate at which progress occurs should not cause elation or discouragement. Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.

The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering

Appendix: A Factorial Analysis of the Noble Eightfold Path (Pali and English) 

I. Samma ditthi .... Right view

dukkhe ñana

dukkhasamudaye ñana .... understanding its origin

dukkhanirodhe ñana .... understanding its cessation

dukkhanirodhagaminipatipadaya ñana .... understanding the way leading to its cessation

II. Samma sankappa .... Right intention

nekkhamma-sankappa

abyapada-sankappa .... intention of good will

avihimsa-sankappa .... intention of harmlessness

III. Samma vaca .... Right speech

musavada veramani

pisunaya vacaya veramani .... abstaining from slanderous speech

pharusaya vacaya veramani .... abstaining from harsh speech

samphappalapa veramani .... abstaining from idle chatter

IV. Samma kammanta .... Right action

panatipata veramani

adinnadana veramani .... abstaining from stealing

kamesu micchacara veramani .... abstaining from sexual misconduct

V. Samma ajiva .... Right livelihood

miccha ajivam pahaya

samma ajivena jivitam kappeti .... one earns one's living by a right form of livelihood

VI. Samma vayama .... Right effort

samvarappadhana

pahanappadhana .... the effort to abandon defilements

bhavanappadhana .... the effort to develop wholesome states

anurakkhanappadhana .... the effort to maintain wholesome states

VII. Samma sati .... Right mindfulness

kayanupassana

vedananupassana .... mindful contemplation of feelings

cittanupassana .... mindful contemplation of the mind

dhammanupassana .... mindful contemplation of phenomena

VIII. Samma samadhi .... Right concentration

pathamajjhana

dutiyajjhana .... the second jhana

tatiyajjhana .... the third jhana

catutthajjhana .... the fourth jhana

The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering

About the Author 

Bhikkhu Bodhi is a Buddhist monk of American nationality, born in New York City in 1944. After completing a doctorate in philosophy at the Claremont Graduate School, he came to Sri Lanka for the purpose of entering the Sangha. He received novice ordination in 1972 and higher ordination in 1973, both under the eminent scholar-monk, Ven. Balangoda Ananda Maitreya, with whom he studied Pali and Dhamma. He is the author of several works on Theravada Buddhism, including four translations of major Pali suttas along with their commentaries. Since 1984 he has been the Editor for the Buddhist Publication Society, and since 1988 its President.

Publisher's note The Buddhist Publication Society is an approved charity dedicated to making known the Teaching of the Buddha, which has a vital message for people of all creeds. Founded in 1958, the BPS has published a wide variety of books and booklets covering a great range of topics. Its publications include accurate annotated translations of the Buddha's discourses, standard reference works, as well as original contemporary expositions of Buddhist thought and practice. These works present Buddhism as it truly is — a dynamic force which has influenced receptive minds for the past 2500 years and is still as relevant today as it was when it first arose. Buddhist Publication Society P.O. Box 61 54, Sangharaja Mawatha Kandy, Sri Lanka

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The Wheel

Publication No. 308/311 (Kandy: Buddhist Publication Society, 1984), second edition (revised) 1994. Transcribed from a file provided by the BPS Last revised for Access to Insight on 30 November 2013.

How to cite this document (a suggested style): "The Noble Eightfold Path: The Way to the End of Suffering", by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/waytoend.html .