The Noble Eightfold Path

Buddhists often refer to their religion simply as 'practising the Dharma'. Buddhist teaching is like a path to be followed, leading a person towards greater contentment and happiness. It takes the 'middle way' between luxury and hardship.

The first two steps are necessary for people to take the teaching seriously. They must be aware of what the Buddhist path offers, and feel that they really want to follow it.

The next three steps give practical advice for how to speak, act and earn a living. For many people, this is the most straightforward way to start living as a Buddhist.

The last three train your mind to think and feel in a positive way. They help you to take notice of everything that happens around you, and to develop happiness and goodwill towards all creatures.

Conditions

The Buddha taught that everything happens as a result of conditions. If you give a plant water and sunshine it will grow. Without them, it will die.

Buddhists believe that everyone has the ability to develop wisdom and friendliness. These come from within a person, not from outside. The Noble Eightfold path simply offers the conditions that encourage them to grow.

Karma

Buddhists believe that everything we do has an effect on us. Each action helps to decide whether we're happy or unhappy in the future. These actions are called karma. If you do a helpful or kind action, you will benefit. If you hurt others, then you have to live with the consequences.

Buddhists also believe that the karma you create in this life may have effects after your life has ended. Some of its results may be good, some bad. You may not always be able to see the results of your karma.

Ò I think of the Law of Karma as simply 'Actions have consequences'. If you say a friendly word to someone, or point out their good qualities, that strengthens your friendship. Later they may say something positive back to you. Although you don't do it in the hope of that, it's the natural result of your good karma.

Ò What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build
our life of tomorrow: our life is the creation of our mind.

….If a man speaks or acts with an impure mind, suffering follows him as the wheel of the cart follows the beast that draws the cart.

….If a man speaks and acts with a pure mind, joy follows him as his own shadow.

Zen Buddhism is 'meditation' Buddhism. It is a way of training your mind to see the truth about yourself and about life. It helps you become more aware of everything you do. Zen Buddhists (and others) believe that everyone has a Buddha nature within himself or herself. But most people don't recognise it or benefit from it. Training your mind helps you to develop that Buddha nature.

Those who follow Zen Buddhism sometimes take an ordinary activity (such as archery, or making tea) and become absorbed in every little action involved. It is a way of calming and training the mind.

Zen Buddhists believe that you cannot get far along the path to enlightenment just by thinking clearly, but that you have to allow your imagination to work as well.

Buddhism does not set down rules, which must be obeyed out of fear of being punished. Instead, it gives precepts (guidelines). These help people to avoid actions which are likely to bring about harmful results, for themselves and others.

There are five precepts that all Buddhists try to follow:

1 I will avoid taking life

- that means not killing people
- animals too? (many Buddhists are vegetarian)
- and the Earth! It means not destroying the natural world around us

The positive side of this precept is:

I will try to show loving kindness towards all creatures.

2 I will avoid taking what is not given

- not stealing
- not trying to get more than my fair share
- not trying to grab at wealth or power or fame at the expense of others.

The positive side of this precept is:

I will try to be generous and willing to share.

3 I will avoid harmful sexual activity

- not hurting other people through sex

The positive side of this precept is:

I will try to be content and happy with my sexuality.

4 I will avoid saying what is not true

- not deliberately lying
- not trying to give the wrong impression
- not even being dishonest with yourself

The positive side of this precept is:

I will try to be completely truthful - honest and open in everything I say.

5 I will avoid clouding my mind with alcohol or drugs

- not getting drunk
- not doing anything that clouds your mind and takes you over (this might include things like gambling, or being hooked on arcade games)

The positive side of this precept is:

I will try to keep my mind clear, so that I can be alert and aware of everything around me.

Buddhists freely choose to follow these five precepts. They are not absolute rules. For example, if a person needs to eat meat in order to keep well, then he or she may do so.

Buddhists describe actions as either unskilful or skilful. They are unskilful if they are foolish and likely to lead to more ignorance, anger and greed. They are skilful if they are the result of wise choices, and are likely to lead people towards peace and happiness.

Buddhists point out that a person who acts foolishly will eventually suffer the consequences, and will spoil the very things that make life worthwhile.

Ò "Let a wise man remove impurities from himself even as a silversmith removes impurities from the silver: One after another, little by little, again and again."

Buddhists try to develop four personal qualities. They form the basis of the Buddhist way of life.

They are like lights to guide a person through life.