1. Buddhism 5 th November 2010

2. We already know… Life of the Buddha

3. Last time we looked at... The Four Noble Truths

4. These are... 1 - Understanding the problem Suffering exists 2 - Knowing what causes it Suffering is due to selfish desires 3 - Knowing how to cure it Suffering will stop if these selfish desires stop 4 - Prescribing the cure Follow the Eightfold Path

5. To put it another way: Wanting too much = disappointment = unhappiness = suffering

6. So today we are going to look at... The Eightfold Path

7. While the first three Noble Truths tell us everything we need to know, the last one is just as important. It tells us that knowing the answer in our mind and doing something about it in our life are not the same thing. We must learn how to use these Truths in our life.

8. To help us do this, the Buddha gave his followers the Eightfold Path. These are eight steps to turning the Four Noble Truths into actions in our life. Only in this way can we stop suffering.

9. Before you can begin any journey you must be facing in the right direction. If you don't sort out in your mind which direction you are going then you stand no chance of getting there. It is the same with this inward journey. It is important that we understand where we are going.

10. Step 1 – Right Viewpoint In this case we are going to solve the problem of suffering. So, we should understand what suffering really is. The Four Noble Truths tell us exactly what suffering is and how to fix it. We must be clear about this in our mind before we begin.

11. Step 2 – Right Attitude If we are not entirely sure that we want to stop suffering and know what life is really like then we shouldn’t bother trying. Unless we are totally committed to stopping suffering, we will fail. Our attitude must be determined to succeed.

12. Once we have understood where we are going we need to go into training. Otherwise we won't be fit enough to finish the journey. This training involves learning how to control our actions.

13. Step 3 – Right Speech We mustn’t speak in any way which will encourage us to think that our self exists. We know that we are just a collection of bits and pieces. So is everyone else. Some of these bits and pieces may be different from each other but we are basically all the same. Once we see this we have no reason to speak unkindly or harshly to people. We shouldn’t lie to people or call them names.

14. Step 4 – Right Behaviour When we have controlled our tongues we must control our actions. We mustn’t act in any way which will encourage us to think that our self exists. We mustn’t kill or harm any living thing. We shouldn’t be unfaithful to our partner.

15. Step 5 – Right Work In particular we must find a job which doesn’t encourage us to think that our self exists. This means that we must find a job which is useful and helpful. It mustn’t involve taking the life of any living thing or mean that we have to tell lies.

16. When we have understood where we are going and have learned how to control our actions we must learn how to control our mind.

17. Step 6 – Right Effort Once we have controlled all our actions and have stopped treating people badly we must begin to do good. This involves using our energy and willpower to think of how we can find peace and joy. This is done through Meditation.

18. Meditation is clearing out all the unwanted thoughts in your mind and concentrating on something good. This starts by thinking about good things which have happened to you. Then it thinks about your friends and wishing them to be happy. Next you must think of someone you don’t really like or not like (like the bus driver or doctor) and wish them to be happy. Lastly, you must think of an enemy and wish them to be happy too. This is not easy. It takes agreat deal of practice. But as you get better at it, you find that your enemies aren’t your enemies anymore and your life is full of good friends.

19. Step 7 – Right Mindfulness This step uses meditation to look at yourself, other people and things. It is trying to look at things as they really are without thinking about whether or not you like them. This is about controlling your emotions so that you will be in total control of yourself ready for the final step.

20. Step 8 – Right Concentration Once you are completely in control of yourself you will begin to see everything as it really is. You will see that everything changes all the time. You will be able to watch it all change without being bothered by it. You will be completely at peace. You won’t want anything else. Your desires will have gone and with them all your suffering will go too. You will have reached Nirvana.

21. Task 1: Complete question sheet