The Noble Eightfold Paths

Blog Prompt 11: Focus on a particular component of the eightfold path and apply it to your own life. Do you think that right action would mean less suffering? Refer to both readings in your explanation of the connection between virtue and the cessation of suffering.

“These three factors (right speech, right action, and right livelihood) of the eightfold path constitute ethical conduct.” 1) Speech which involves no lies, no slander, spreading rumors, saying rude things, and keeping noble silence. 2) Action which includes being moral, honorable, and peaceful conduct. No stealing, ruining others lives, or having illegitimate intercourse and help others see the right path and help them take it. 3) Livelihood is honorable, blameless, and innocent of harm to other. In other words, don’t put others at harm’s way in physical or mental or spiritual ways.“Next comes mental discipline, in which are included three other factors of the eightfold path: namely, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.” 4) Effort is staying away from evil and unwholesome states of mind while bringing positive and productive wholesome states of mind. 5) Mindfulness is of body, mind, and all other things. 6) Concentration is when unhappy thoughts and desires are pushed aside for happy and wholesome thoughts. “The remaining two factors, namely right thought and right understanding, constitute wisdom in the noble eightfold path.” 7) Thought of being selfless, giving and understanding love, and being non-violent towards anything is considered to be wise.  8) Understanding: There are two forms of understanding, “knowing accordingly” and “penetration”. “Knowing accordingly” is based on given data whereas “penetration” is being able to see anything in it’s true form. 

I feel that out of the eight of the eightfold paths, the right speech is the one I try to practice the most often. This is only because as a young child I wasn’t the most kind. I used to bully kids and say mean things. Then when I was the one being bullied, I stopped. The begining of highschool I was friends with some mean girls and it wasn’t until my best friend convinced me to leave them that I left. Since then, I try to watch what I say. I try to be the most honest with people because that’s what I believe a good person should do. Although I might want to tell a little white lie here and there, I try to always be honest. I tend not to care about rumors because it’s none of my business. Spreading rumors is a waste of time, especially if one doesn’t know what’s going on with the person these rumors are about. If I do have something harsh to say, it’s normally because it’s something that has to be said or it’s for the person’s own good. 

I do believe that the right action would mean less suffering. Not only would one be making good decisions but they would also help others make right decisions. Being in a peaceful state of mind for doing the right things seems like less suffering. Even when things go bad, some way and somehow, doing the right things can make one feel better and become a better person.