Chapter 17. The Noble Eightfold Path
THE NOBLE
EIGHTFOLD PATH
The
qualification to heaven is a ‘heart of gold.’
The qualification to Nirvanic goal is the
‘Noble Eightfold Path.’
(Pittaya Wong)
As the very
goal of Buddhism is the Righteous Paths & Fruitions (Magga & Phala)
which consequently lead to the attainment of Nirvana, the Noble Eightfold Path
is the heart of Buddhist teaching in the role of Righteous Paths for everyone
to implement in order to achieve different level of Fruitions until reaching
the ultimate Nirvana which is the promising state of true, pure, and permanent
bliss.
To explain
the Noble Eightfold Path in details, we can see from the diagram of the
Interrelationship between Core Value of Buddhism, the Threefold Training, and
the Noble Eightfold Path that the Noble Eightfold Path is the sub-category
of the Threefold Training which comprises of (A) Moral Discipline or Sila
(B) Mental Concentration or Samadhi, and (C) Wisdom or Panna,
whereas the Threefold Training grows from only one core value of Buddhism which
is the Righteous Practice or Righteousness.
Altogether, they can also be reclassified as (I) The Right Mind (II) The
Right Speech, and (III) The Right Action.
The Noble
Eightfold Path as the sub-category of the Threefold Training can be listed as
follows:
Wisdom
(1) Right View (2) Right Intention
Moral
Discipline
(3) Right Speech (4) Right Action (5) Right Livelihood
Mental
Concentration
(6) Right Effort (7) Right Mindfulness (8) Right Mental Unification
To clarify the
Noble Eightfold Path, it can be expressed into two dimensions which are (1) the
aspect of doctrinal practice, and (2) the mental meditative quality.
Firstly, the
practice aspect allows us to understand the Noble Eightfold Path as the
doctrine that teaches Buddhist practitioners to implement and live a righteous
life. This begins from one’s mind having
(i) the Right View which grows into (ii) Right Intention. Thus, the Right View and Right Intention
develop oneself to furtherly have (iii) Right Speech, (iv) Right Action, and (v)
Right Livelihood. Based on these practical
foundations, one can prosper one’s mind to have (vi) Right Effort, (vii) Right
Mindfulness, and (viii) Right Mental Unification, respectively. These are the consecutive implementation of
doctrine putting into practice as the causes in order to yield the effects in
the form of wholesome righteous life with an aim for enlightenment and the
Nirvana.
Secondly,
the mental meditative quality aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path means the
qualities of one’s mind which occur in meditation. It all starts with (a) Sphere of Moral Discipline
which comprises of (a1) Right Speech (a2) Right Action, and (a3) Right
Livelihood. In the same manner, after
experiencing the meditative quality of Moral Discipline, we continue further in
the Middle Path to experience the (b) Sphere of Mental Concentration which
comprises of (b1) Right Effort (balanced effort) (b2) Right Mindfulness, and
(b3) Right Mental Unification. Then, we
continue to experience (c) Sphere of Wisdom which comprises of (c1) Right View
and (c2) Right Intention, respectively.
In meditation,
these are the states of mind or mental qualities which can be seen in the form
of transcendental spheres [referring to the mental sphere in the Abhidhamma]
which we can ‘experience the taste of Dhamma or virtue.’ As we practice meditation by proceeding our
mind through ‘the Middle Path,’ we will pass through these transcendental
spheres of virtues or states of mind, where our mind will be purified, refined,
and empowered further similar to water that passes through a water purifier. Moreover, these transcendental spheres of
virtue are the source of our virtue energy. For example, the sphere of Moral Discipline
empowers the morality in our human mind resulting us to think, speak, and act
morally.
By the end
of this process, we will achieve liberation and the realization of liberation
which enables us to achieve fruition or enlightenment, from lower to higher
level. We can see that the two different
aspects are explained differently as the practical aspect explains the Noble
Eightfold Path by starting from the Right View which originates in one’s mind
and grows into speech, action, and mental states whereas the meditative quality
aspect is all about mental states in meditation which one can experience.
However,
this progressing in the Magga or Paths until reaching Phala or Fruitions can be
made possible only with the fulfilled accumulated and cultivated merit as shown
in the Dhammonomic equation below:
Fruition of
Enlightenment =
(Completion
of the Noble Eightfold Path) x (Fulfillment of Accumulated & Cultivated
Merit)
According to
the above equation, we can see that the practice of Noble Eightfold Path alone
cannot yield fruition of enlightenment if one has not accumulated and
cultivated enough merit (pursuit of perfections). This is the reason why some Buddhist
practitioners or meditation practitioners can proceed into the meditative
Middle Path but unable to attain any fruition or enlightenment. Therefore, in
regard of enlightenment, there are many other contributing factors that we
should take into account other than the Noble Eightfold Path alone.
Buddhivilization
means the ideal human society where most people implement the Noble Eightfold
Path which eventually leads to the balanced worldly & spiritual living.
(Pittaya
Wong)
By Pittaya
Wong
8 August
2018
