Mastery of the self and the quest for truth will lead you to the discovery of many ideas. At that point, some of those ideas would clash with each other making you accept new ones while abandoning the old or making you reject some while holding on to others. When this happens and you don't know which ideas you are to accept, a good suggestion is to look at the idea's fundamental meaning and practical relevance. The Buddha applied this by finding out what the true nature of suffering is and how he can rid himself of it. His study eventually led him to the realization of the "Four Noble Truths" which basically states the following: first, "birth, aging, and death are suffering"; second, "many other things in life cause suffering; t"hird, "suffering can be eliminated"; and fourth, "there is a way to end suffering". After realizing the Four Noble Truths, he was then able to construct the "NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH" or what he considered as the path to end suffering.
THE NOBLE EIGHTFOLD PATH
1. RIGHT VIEW
Some people are not aware of what life on Earth really means. Most of us are even dominated by thoughts of selfishness, materialism, and insecurity. According to the Buddha, it is because of this ignorance that we tend to suffer. We attach ourselves to ideas and beliefs that hold no relevance to the true nature of our being. Having an open mind and having the drive to seek knowledge are steps into having the right view. Learning, for that matter, is a vital part of the eightfold path because it is through learning that you get hold of ideas such as truth and righteousness.
2. RIGHT INTENTION
Once a person is able to determine the true nature of things and can also distinguish what is right from what is wrong, the right intention must follow. Everything that you do should have the right purpose. All the wrong reasons should be eliminated. People often feel guilt not because of ignorance but because of the wrong choices that they make. Once you start doing something because you know that it is the right thing to do, you will know that you are always on the right path.
3. RIGHT SPEECH
It is here that we are advised to refrain from lying, divisive speech, abusive speech, and idle chatter. Words are very powerful whether they are written or verbally spoken. Some people who know how to use the power of words take advantage of their knowledge to influence other people for their own benefit. We use speech to communicate and it is for this reason that we need to use it in the right way and for the right reasons. It is through right speech that we start to develop harmony with other people.
4. RIGHT ACTION
Right action involves having the right conduct. Right conduct means that you shouldn't kill anyone, you shouldn't steal, and you shouldn't commit sexual misconduct. The social norms during Buddha's time were perhaps different than what we observe today in our society. However, the principle of right action states that everything you do now will produce various consequences in the future. Hence, it is much better to observe the kind of behavior that will yield positive consequences instead of negative ones. Furthermore, since you will be practicing a lot of meditation if you are to follow the path of the Buddha, right action tends to be more productive because it creates lesser mental disturbance.
5. RIGHT LIVELIHOOD
People need to work for a living; that's a given. There are some people, however, who engage in the types of work that are not conducive for spiritual development because they lack the right view, intention, speech, and action. The Buddhist way teaches us to avoid the following types of trade: weapons, human beings, meat, intoxicants, and poison. In our time, some may find this unrealistic because we do know that there are many industries out there that exactly involve the production or distribution of the things mentioned. Hence, it is entirely up to the individual to find other means of livelihood if one is serious about following the spiritual path.
6. RIGHT EFFORT
Right effort, in the Buddhist texts, means: 1) the prevention and elimination of negative thoughts, words, and actions; and 2) stimulation and preservation of the right thoughts, words, and action. It is on this part that you should always try to be aware of your own thoughts and, at the best of your effort, keep them positive at all times. Thoughts become things. Everything starts to become true the moment you think of it.
7. RIGHT MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness in the context of Buddhism means that you should always be aware of what is happening within and around you at all times. We often think that time has three modes; the past, the present, and the future. The truth is that we only live now, in the present. The past only exists because of your memories while the future is made up of your imaginative thoughts. These things are all inside your mind.. All you have is the present and that is where your mind should be at all times. Once you realize what this means, you'll start to become more attentive to yourself and your surroundings.
8. RIGHT CONCENTRATION
This is where you literally do meditation. According to the Buddha, the mind is only a tool, but it can help set you free once you become successful in taming it. Without learning how to focus and without having stillness of the mind, your thoughts are like the waves of a violent sea. Once there is mental discipline, however, your mind will be like a steady pond and you will see the reflection of your true self.
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