Written for the AQA syllabus by Upeksacitta (Robert Ellis), member of the Western Buddhist Order and a former Head of RS.
The Noble Eightfold Path in general
The Noble Eightfold Path is the most common formulation of the Path, the Fourth Noble Truth. It provides a breakdown of the different developments needed to make progress towards enlightenment. It consists of eight 'limbs' (anga).
Some important overall features of the Eightfold Path
1. Its limbs are interdependent. Progress on one part of the Path is supported by progress on other parts. To some extent, then, a Buddhist needs to work on all elements of the Path simultaneously. But they are also likely to concentrate on some elements more than others at certain points. Traditionally, a Buddhist starts more with the elements relating to ethics, goes on to those concerned with meditation, then concludes with wisdom. However, he/she will also need to have some concern with wisdom and meditation whilst focussing on ethics, and so on.
2. It is gradual. Progress on all the elements of the Path is made gradually. All the limbs of the path can be practised at a great variety of levels, from the most superficial to the most in-depth. Hence it is a path for both lay people and monks. Even those who are enlightened or nearly enlightened are said to practise it (in the form of the Transcendental Eightfold Path), though for them it is a spontaneous expression of their nature rather than an effort.
3. It is overlaps with other formulations. There are other formulations of the Path (e.g. the Middle Way, the Threefold Path, The Ten Perfections), but the Path itself is the same. In the different formulations it is simply being described and analysed differently.
4. The formulation is believed to originate with the Buddha. In the Pali Canon it is found in the Sutta on the Turning of the Wheel of the Dhamma (Dhammacakkapavattanasutta), where the Buddha’s First Sermon to the Five Ascetics at Sarnath is described. In this sermon he gives a brief overall account of the Four Noble Truths, and in explaining the Fourth Noble Truth he gives an account of the Noble Eightfold Path. All schools of Buddhism accept these basic formulations, though they may interpret and apply them differently.
The limbs of the Noble Eightfold Path
Task
Before you move on, see if you can define each of the limbs in the space next to it above. Also see if you can define each element of the Threefold Path.
Past questions on AXA syllabus include:
- Explain the meaning of the eightfold path, and assess the claim that the eightfold path is the most important teaching for Buddhists in their quest for enlightenment.
- Examine the importance of the eightfold path as a means to enlightenment.
- Explain and assess the claim that Buddhism is simply a humanistic moral philosophy.
- With reference to vipassana and samatha meditation explain the nature and purpose of meditation in Buddhism.
- “Meditation is a way of escaping from the problems of everyday life.” Explain and evaluate this view.