The Eightfold Path Step 5: Right Livelihood
“Right Livelihood” is the goal of trying to make a living with right thought, speech and actions. You don’t have to give up everything and become a propertyless monk, but no Buddhist practitioner should engage in trades or occupations which, either directly or indirectly, result in harm to other [...]
The Eightfold Path Step 4: Right Speech
This is the Buddhist way of saying “watch your mouth.”
One important Buddhist scripture explains, “…what is right speech? Abstaining from lying, abstaining from divisive speech, abstaining from abusive speech, abstaining from idle chatter: This, monks, is called right speech.” This is all very simple to understand, and pretty much [...]
The Eightfold Path Step 3: Right Action
Right action is also called “right conduct,, and involves how to behave in the physical world from day to day. Some examples of the “rules” are to avoid killing, stealing and sexual misconduct.
These three are obviously serious offences, but for the most part are not an issue for most [...]
The Eightfold Path Step 2: Right Intention
Right intention is also called “right thought”, “right resolve”, or “right aspiration” or “the exertion of our own will to change”. It involves your commitment and your reasons for following the tenets of Buddhism. Do you really want to give up desire? Are you willing to make sacrifices to [...]
The Eightfold Path Step 1: Right View
This week, we start discussion of the Eightfold Path, Buddha’s “cure” for the suffering of this world. The first two steps on the path, Right View and Right Intention, are often paired together and called the “Wisdom” portion of the path. Right Speech, Action, and Livelihood fall into the [...]
Shambhala Sun Magazine The Shambhala Sun celebrates the spirt of wakefulness wherever it appears in modern life - the arts, relationships, politics, livelihood and popular culture. It offers a Buddhist view for people of all spiritual traditions who are open and inquisitive. |
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