Right Understanding

#1. Right understanding.

Ditthi.

Right view comes from the understanding of the Four Noble Truths through comprehending them and testing them through experience in real life.

You can experience the true nature of things through meditation, mindfulness and awareness.

A wish to follow the Buddhas teachings is based on informed and intellegent choice that has been tried and tested by the individual.

Not blind faith.

Right Thought

#2 Right thought.

Sankappa.

Right thought refers to the energy behind our actions.

Right intention can be described as a commitment to ethical and mental self-improvement.

When we first start out on the path it is difficult to have the right thoughts and intentions because we are just beggining to learn and are not really sure what they are.

Things will be uncovered and realized as we continue. The Buddhas way is an ever deepening process.

Buddha described three types of right intentions.

Renunciation which means resistance to desire and craving.

The intention of good will, meaning resistance to feelings like anger and aversion.

The intention of harmlessness meaning not to think cruelly or violently.

To develop compassion.

Our thoughts are incredibly powerful and have a great impact on our lives.

Right Speech

#3 Right Speech.

Vaca.

Words can make enemies or friends,start wars or create peace.

 

Buddha explained right speech as follows.

 

• To abstain from false speech. Especially not to tell lies or speak deceitfully.

 

• To abstain from slanderous speech and not to use words maliciously against others.

 

• To abstain from harsh words that offend or hurt others.

 

• To abstain from idle chatter and gossip that lacks purpose or depth.

 

For me the difficulty in stopping drinking and smoking was easy compared to the effort of  practicing right speech.

Right Action

#4 Right Action

Kammanta.

Actions are the physical deeds of the body.

Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind while wholesome actions lead to sound states of mind.

Right action means;

To abstain from harming all sentient beings. Animals and humans.

To abstain from taking what is not given (stealing).

To abstain from sexual misconduct.

Right action means to act kindly and compassionately. To be honest and respect the belongings of others.

And to keep sexual relationships healthy, respectful and harmless to others.

Right Livelyhood

#5 Right Livelihood

Ajiva

A monk on alms round in the UK

Right livelihood means to earn a living in a righteous way, without causing harm to other beings.

 

The Buddha mentions four specific activities that should be avoided.

They are as follows;

 

• Dealing in weapons. 
• Dealing in living beings. Includes raising animals for slaughter.
• Dealing in slavery or prostitution. 
• Selling intoxicants such as alcohol and drugs.

 

This does not mean that people involved in these livelihoods cannot practise Buddhism. Most likely they would want to cease trading in unethical ways after some time of study and practise.

 

A Monks Livelyhood

Within some traditions ordained monks are not permitted to even touch money or request food and drink; they must wait to be offered. This meant that the communities within which the monks lived understood this arrangement and offered food freely. The Buddha intended that monks should remain in constant contact with the lay people and performing alms rounds in the local villages ensured this. Lay people also offered food directly to the monasteries. He also ruled that monks should not eat after 12 noon, this was to stop monks from turning up at all times of day and bothering the people in the villages. It is also easier to meditate with an empty stomach and much healthier not to eat later in the day. However Monks are permitted to drink water or tea without milk in the afternoon and evenings.  Clothing is also offered to the monks in the form of robes; it is very important that they look after and respect the items offered and ensure that they last as long as possible, after all people would stop giving to a wasteful monastery.  

Concentration

#8 Right Concentration

Samadhi.

Right concentration is the development of mental force that occurs in 

Earth: Naturally Concious 

natural consciousness.

Concentration is where all mental faculties are unified and directed onto one particular object.

Right concentration means wholesome concentration i.e.  concentration on wholesome thoughts and actions.

The Buddhists method of choice to develop right concentration is through the practice of meditation.The meditation practitioner directs attention onto the breath, then sustains concentration on it. Surprisingly difficult for most people, but you might find it easy.

As we practice further (right effort) concentration intensifies step by step and breath by breath.

Through meditation practice it becomes easier to apply elevated levels of concentration into everyday situations.

We are also able to remain more present in the here and now, and less distracted.

Right Effort

#6 Right Effort.

Vayama

Without effort nothing can be achieved.

Mental energy is the force behind right effort.

The same energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression and violence can fuel self-discipline, honesty and loving kindness.

Right effort is detailed in four types of endeavours.

To prevent the arising of unwhholesome thoughts and mental states.

To abandon unwholesome thoughts and mental states that have already arisen.

To encourage wholesome states that have not yet arisen.

To maintain and improve wholesome states.

Loving compassion and joy is our natural state of being as humans, but we have, on the most part become tainted and distanced from this fact. To start looking inward and cleansing our inner world is the place to start.

Mindfulness

Right Mindfulness

Sati  (Pali). In Buddhism the word ‘Sati’ usually carries the meaning of awareness or skillful attentiveness.

#7 on the eightfold path

Let it flow

Right mindfulness is ability to see and feel life as it is with complete awareness.
For many of us our usual condition is a kind of waking dream involving trains of conditioned thoughts that may be pleasant, neutral or unpleasant.
These thoughts are interwoven with many underlying emotions and sensations that influence our decisions and guide us through life.