1. The Noble Eightfold Path ENGLISH DHARMA GROUP – JADE BUDDHA TEMPLE MAY 2015

2. Overview The Four Noble Truths Sequence and Groups The Eight Factors Conclusion Suggested Reading

3. The Four Noble Truths 1. Dissatisfaction suffering | difficulty | challenges 2. Cause desire|attachment|greed|grasping 3. End Eradicate all attachments 4. The Path Happiness | Peace | Enlightenment

4. Dharma Wheel of Clarity

5. Sequence Groups Right View Right Thinking Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration

6. Sequence Groups WisdomRight View Right Thinking MoralityRight Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Mental Development Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration

7. Sequence Groups MoralityRight Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Mental Development Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration WisdomRight View Right Thinking

8. Noble Eightfold Path Right View/ Understanding Forerunner & Guide Starting point |destination | landmarks Understanding cause and effect Understanding the Four Noble Truths

9. Noble Eightfold Path Right Intention Thinking | Aspiration | Attitude Free your mind from negative thoughts and unhealthy patterns Grasping Hatred Cruelty Replace with wholesome thoughts Letting go Loving kindness Compassion

10. Noble Eightfold Path Right Speech 4 qualities of skillful speech Truthful Uplifting - not malicious or unkind Gentle – not crude or harsh Moderate – not useless or meaningless

11. Noble Eightfold Path Right Action Skillful ethical behavior The Five Precepts Killing Stealing Lying Sexual misconduct Misuse of intoxicants

12. Noble Eightfold Path Right Livelihood Any occupation that does not Cause harm to you Cause harm to others Assessment: 1.Does my job cause harm? 2.Does it break the 5 Precepts? 3.Other aspects that prevent my spiritual progress.

13. Noble Eightfold Path Right Effort Right choices Four parts 1.Prevent arising of unwholesome state of mind 2.Overcome | greed, hatred, delusion 3.Replace | loving thoughts, generosity, compassion 4.Cultivate wholesome mental states

14. Noble Eightfold Path Right Mindfulness Observe | recognize | mind free of desire, hate, and greed Prevent and overcome negative patterns of thoughts and behavior Leads to clear “inner seeing”, the inner eye of Wisdom

15. Noble Eightfold Path Right Concentration Three Characteristics Always wholesome Deep and powerful level of one-pointed focus Incorporates the use of mindfulness to develop wisdom

16. Conclusion Practice takes time 8 Steps to Happiness support one another No matter where you start Reach highest degree of peace and happiness Enlightenment

17. Suggested Reading Eight Mindful Steps To Happiness -Walking the Buddha’s Path by Bhante Henepola Gunaratna From the author of Mindfulness In Plain English

18. Thanks English Dharma Group February 2015