Much ink is spilled on what Buddhism is and how to practice. You would be wise to simply return to the source, and put the eightfold path into practice. Somewhere it has been written that the greatest contribution one can make to fellow beings is to achieve enlightenment (in answer to the call for proper Buddhists to engage in social justice activities). And so here it is:
1. Right understanding. See things as they really are, through mindfulness and direct observation. Not letting others think for you, but instead simply using the inherent powers of logic and analysis that humans possess. This "clears the deck" by ridding your mind of opinions and beliefs that others would impose upon you.
2. Right thought. Keeping our thoughts focused on positive and wholesome ideas. Avoiding harmful, wasteful and foolish thoughts and fantasy. The eightfold path is not easy and demands self-control and restraint. This probably accounts for the fact that few people ever truly master it.
3. Right speech. The idea is that what we speak certainly influences our state of mind. By consciously avoiding profanity, lies, words of anger, gossip and other harmful and "useless" talk, we help ourselves along the path. Logically, this would also extend to the written word as well, which is just an extension of speech.
4. Right action. This is a broad concept relating to the right way of living. This is often discussed in terms of the "Five precepts," which are actually activities you must avoid, instead of things you must do. One must refrain from killing, refrain from stealing, refrain from sexual misconduct, refrain from false speech, and refrain from the use of intoxicants. There are variations on this, depending upon the school.
5. Right livelihood. Avoid occupations which compromise your integrity and force you act in harmful ways, or produce harmful objects. Obvioius examples are any trade involving weapons, drugs and alcohol, gambling, etc. In the modern age, this is an interesting topic for debate. Any occupation which requires you to carry a gun?
6. Right effort. While this may seem duplicative, it emphasizes that the eightfold path is extremely arduous and can only be achieved with sacrifice and perserverance. Remove unwholesome thoughts and activity, and cultivate wholesome thoughts and activity.
7. Right mindfulness. Again, you may think this is somewhat duplicative, but the thrust of this is the need to incorporate the demands of the path into our whole daily routine and never to let down our guard. It is a constant effort which is required. One must be mindful at all times that he or she is working to achive the goals of the eightfold path.
8. Right concentration. This is really a recognition that serious mediatation is a key to achieving the insight and self-control necessary to succeed. There are many different schools within Buddhism, but all emphasis that true progress requires meditation, which has its own techniques and skills. Powerful meditation can screen out all the harmful distractions that surround us, especially those of us living in a society of constant entertainment, noise, comfort and pleasures.
1. Right understanding. See things as they really are, through mindfulness and direct observation. Not letting others think for you, but instead simply using the inherent powers of logic and analysis that humans possess. This "clears the deck" by ridding your mind of opinions and beliefs that others would impose upon you.
2. Right thought. Keeping our thoughts focused on positive and wholesome ideas. Avoiding harmful, wasteful and foolish thoughts and fantasy. The eightfold path is not easy and demands self-control and restraint. This probably accounts for the fact that few people ever truly master it.
3. Right speech. The idea is that what we speak certainly influences our state of mind. By consciously avoiding profanity, lies, words of anger, gossip and other harmful and "useless" talk, we help ourselves along the path. Logically, this would also extend to the written word as well, which is just an extension of speech.
4. Right action. This is a broad concept relating to the right way of living. This is often discussed in terms of the "Five precepts," which are actually activities you must avoid, instead of things you must do. One must refrain from killing, refrain from stealing, refrain from sexual misconduct, refrain from false speech, and refrain from the use of intoxicants. There are variations on this, depending upon the school.
5. Right livelihood. Avoid occupations which compromise your integrity and force you act in harmful ways, or produce harmful objects. Obvioius examples are any trade involving weapons, drugs and alcohol, gambling, etc. In the modern age, this is an interesting topic for debate. Any occupation which requires you to carry a gun?
6. Right effort. While this may seem duplicative, it emphasizes that the eightfold path is extremely arduous and can only be achieved with sacrifice and perserverance. Remove unwholesome thoughts and activity, and cultivate wholesome thoughts and activity.
7. Right mindfulness. Again, you may think this is somewhat duplicative, but the thrust of this is the need to incorporate the demands of the path into our whole daily routine and never to let down our guard. It is a constant effort which is required. One must be mindful at all times that he or she is working to achive the goals of the eightfold path.
8. Right concentration. This is really a recognition that serious mediatation is a key to achieving the insight and self-control necessary to succeed. There are many different schools within Buddhism, but all emphasis that true progress requires meditation, which has its own techniques and skills. Powerful meditation can screen out all the harmful distractions that surround us, especially those of us living in a society of constant entertainment, noise, comfort and pleasures.
posted by Rory at 2:07 PM
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