DhammapadaThe Noble Eightfold Path
The eight parts of the Buddha's path: right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and concentration, grouped into wisdom, ethics and meditation.
The Eightfold Path is the Buddha's practical guide to ending suffering. It is not eight steps taken in order; the parts support one another.
| Group | Part | In plain words |
|---|---|---|
| Wisdom | Right view | Seeing things as they are: the Four Noble Truths |
| Wisdom | Right intention | A mind of goodwill, renunciation and harmlessness |
| Ethics | Right speech | No lying, harsh words, gossip or idle chatter |
| Ethics | Right action | No killing, stealing or harmful conduct |
| Ethics | Right livelihood | Earning a living without harming others |
| Meditation | Right effort | Preventing harmful states and developing good ones |
| Meditation | Right mindfulness | Being aware of body, feelings, mind and mental states |
| Meditation | Right concentration | Steadying the mind in meditation |
Chapter 20 of the Dhammapada, "The Way", speaks of this path.
The verses are F. Max Muller's English translation of 1881, in the public domain; its wording is of its time. The notes are our own. This site is an introduction and not a substitute for a teacher, and it is independent of any Buddhist organisation.