The Fourth Noble Truths IS the Eight Fold Path! This path unfolds into our understanding of Truth itself, like a bud that is tightly closed and then grandly opens for us to see (with all our senses). We can look or not. But, once we have chosen to "see", the lesson has been understood and one becomes "on the path" and blends into Truth.
1) Right Understanding
2) Right Thought
Both lead to the development of real wisdom, which then allows us to understand life as it really is existing.
3) Right Speech
4) Right Conduct
5) Right Livelihood
These three aspects develop our true compassion and our virtues (wisdom and compassion need to be in balance.)
6) Right Effort
7) Right Mindfulness
8) Right Meditation
Our ability to concentrate develops with these aspects. Then, with clear concentration, we have the ability to develop a disciplined mind, which allows us to experience peacefulness.
The entrance point is Right Understanding so that we can clearly perceive all the other aspects. This is where we need to utilize our efforts so that the other aspects will unfold, in naturalness, like the flower bud. The flower so often referred to by the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, is the lotus because it blooms high above the water, reaching toward the sunlight from the waterbed of mud, so very beautiful to see. |
