On the journey of life, we must follow the right paths in order to successful. The same goes for Buddhists, if they wish to learn the Buddha's way, it is vital that they follow the Eightfold Noble Path. Otherwise it will be very difficult for them reach their goals.What is the Eightfold Noble Path

1. Right View

Our attitude determines our success or failure. Right view means righteous concepts or understanding. Right view comes from our belief in the Dharma such as right under-standing in cause, condition and effect, karma, imper-manence, emptiness, and the ultimate Buddha path. Only with right view or understanding will we gain a clear picture of the truth, and prevent ourselves from giving rise to biased or erroneous thoughts or behaviour.

2. Right Thought

This means to contemplate the ultimate truth. A Buddhist sutra compares the human body as "a field over which good thoughts grow as the crops while delusions grow as the weeds. Without proper weeding, no crops will grow; and without the elimination of delusion, no Buddha-path can be gained." Thus we need to guard our minds and enable our thoughts to constantly correspond to the righteous Dharma. Allow a tender heart, compassion, and purity to grow in-stead of focusing on gossip or comparison of oneself and oth-ers.

3. Right Speech

Speaking kind words is the best way to develop good affinities. On the other hand, saying sarcastic or harsh words or even lying, duplicity, coarse language or idle talks can become sharp weapons that hurt others. Thus it is important to speak words of truth, words of compassion that gives others faith, words of praise that gives others joy, and words of ben-efit that gives others help.

4. Right Action

This means righteous behaviours that refrain from un-wholesome acts such as killing, stealing or sexual misconduct. Other than the above, a regular life pattern that involves an appropriate amount of sleep, food intake, exercise, rest and work also represents right action.



【Keywords： 關鍵字】

Eightfold Noble Path 八正道／Right View 正見／

Right Thought 正思維／Right Speech 正語／

Right Action 正業／Cause, condition and effect 因緣果報／

Karma 業／Impermanence 無常／Emptiness 空／

Delusions 妄念／Compassion 慈悲／Lying 妄語／

Duplicity 兩舌／Coarse language 惡口／

Idle talks 綺語／