1. The Means Eightfold Path / Ethics / Meditation

2. Noble Eightfold Path The Noble Eightfold Path is the core of Buddhist practice and lifestyle. It is a guide to life, with it’s basis in the central teachings of the Four Noble Truths. Split into three sections: Wisdom, Morality, and Meditation Not a step by step guide All should be practiced simultaneously All ‘stages’ are interconnected It is seen as the ‘Way’ to achieve enlightenment See: The Path (Dhammapada)

3. Noble Eightfold Path 1.Right View (understanding 4NT) 2.Right Intention (Doing things for right reasons) 3.Right Speech (no gossip / idle chat / lying) 4.Right Conduct / Action (being useful/helpful) 5.Right Livelihood (a good / helpful job) 6.Right Effort (Work hard towards keeping to 4NT and 8FP) 7.Right Mindfulness (Awareness / See things in the right way / Understanding how your actions affect everything around you) 8.Right Concentration (Meditation)

4. Ethics / Morality Compassion is a central value to Buddhists – it underpins all belief and action Ahimsa = non-violence and respect for life Metta = loving-kindness (compassion for all creatures) Using skilful means Gaining good kamma (to enable a better rebirth) Altruism = putting others first as based on compassion and as seen in the Bodhisattva ideal of Mahayana Buddhism

5. Meditation Develops understanding / mindfulness / concentration Samatha Meditation = developing mindfulness, but not specifically Buddhist / won’t get you enlightened Bhavana (Mental Culture) = specifically Buddhist / essential for enlightenment / insight into nature of reality Not an escape from life, but developing an awareness and understanding of it! Pure Land Buddhists believe they can become enlightened simply by meditating on a mental image of the ‘Pure Land’!

6. Questions 1.Explain the importance of Right Understanding, Right Intention, Right Speech, and Right Livelihood (8 KU) 2.Explain the importance of Eightfold Path (3 AE) 3.Explain the concepts of metta and ahimsa (4 KU) 4.“Meditation is essential to enlightenment” – how far do you agree? (6 AE)