The presence of Buddhism in this world began after the enlightenment of the Shakyamuni Buddha taking place under the Boddhi tree, by the (Ni-Lien) River in the Bodhgaya City, India. The lesson “Four Noble Truths” was the first sermon preached by Shakyamuni Buddha to the five (Kieu Tran Nhu) brothers at the Deer Garden in Sarnath City, India. In this sermon, the Path to Annihilation of Suffering holds a very important part in transforming ignorance into enlightenment to reach the final destination of Nirvana for all beings. With out The Path to Annihilation of Suffering in this sermon, Buddhism would be a religion of pessimism, superstition, idol worship, and lack reality and the scientific aspects. Hence, The Path to Annihilation of Suffering has established for Buddhism such stature that is second to none (none of any other religious teachings could compare to). Thus, The Path to Annihilation of Suffering is Buddhism, and was explained broadly and elaborated into the Eightfold Path, within which we find the beauty of all 84,000 dharma paths of Buddhism that have arisen according to the mental dispositions of all beings throughout the journey to spread these teachings.

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The Eightfold Path is the right path which has 8 branches: Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood (Occupation), Right Effort (Diligence), Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration (Focus/Meditation).  This path leads the practitioner to Nirvana; hence the befitting name of Right Path.  This path is also called the “Middle Path/Way” because it does not lead one to the two extremes:  the one extreme of seeking happiness by following pleasure of the senses; it is a lowly,  unbeneficial way for ordinary people; and the other extreme of seeking happiness by practicing ascetic, self-starvation.  This will bring suffering; thus, not befitting or advantageous to follow.  Realizing the futility of practices, based on personal experiences, the Buddha had found the Middle Path leading to peacefulness, wisdom and Nirvana.  Thus, this Middle Path is often referred to as The Eightfold Path.

I.       Right Understanding

There are numerous definitions in Buddhism Sutras:  Thoroughly comprehending the Four Noble Truths is Right Understanding.  Clearly seeing Dependent Origination (as in Cause and Effect) is Right Understanding.  Clearly seeing that all things, both psychologically and physically, are non-self is Right Understanding.  Right Understanding, as defined in the Chanh Tri Kien Sutra, Mid Volumn I:  “When one knows bad/immoral/evil and the root of it, and knows good/moral/virtuous and the root of it, one is said to have Right Understanding and absolute belief in Buddha’s Teachings and the achievement of the Teachings.”  Also, “When one knows aging, death, the assembly of aging and death; as well as knowing the extermination and the ways to exterminate aging and death, one is said to have Right Understanding.”

Similar to comments regarding aging and death, there are also definitions of Right Understanding that relate to the remaining 11 factors of Dependent Origination.  Right Understanding is defined as:  Knowing and differentiating the Eightfold Path for what they are truly are.

II.               Right Thoughts

Similar to the definitions of Right Understanding, one can define Right Thoughts as thoughts about the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, etc. are right thoughts.  Thoughts reflecting on Dependent Origination, Non-Self, Four Noble Truths are Right Thoughts.  Anything that has to do with thinking, researching, inquiring; or completely and diligently giving one’s mind to thinking about words or actions consistent with the Noble (Eightfold) Path, possessing a mind free of defilements and good heart/mind is said to be extraordinary.

The first step in transforming all activities based on the objective of expressing The Eightfold Path is thinking; that is to direct all thoughts towards eliminating greed and attachment.  Therefore, Right Thoughts is also concretely defined as the cultivating of thoughts about eliminating greed, anger and damaging actions/words.  Anger and harmful words/actions are the other faces of greed and attachment.  It represents an insecure mind/heart that was disturbed by dissatisfaction and doubts.  The cultivation of these good thoughts will bring not only peace to the mind/heart but is also a prerequisite to bring down the wall that divides us and everyone else in society.  With this definition, Right Thoughts help a Buddhist to be able to settle any contradictions with loving kindness instead of destructive methods.  An aggressive, fighting nature facilitates new conflicts based on the fundamental of “compounding resentments”.  Hence, the most effective way to settle any conflict is the peaceful way, stemming from harmless and good thoughts – i.e., from Right Thoughts.  One who practices Right Thoughts projects into their living environment around them an aura of peace.  With only this characteristic, they will have given those around them a priceless gift – peace and security.

III.           Right Speech

Right Speech is speaking truthfully; speaking in accordance with Right Dharma will bring good results.  Right speech is abstaining from false speech, malicious speech, divisive speech, and idle chatter.  Through language, our soul and vitality are revealed.  A thoughtful mind will reveal our true colors through our demeanor by our speech, which brings happiness to ourselves and others.  This way of conversing is called Right Speech.  Hence, Right Speech is speaking mindfully with the objecting of ending all suffering by way of the Eightfold Path.  This way of speaking is categorized as follows:

1)  Abstaining from false speech:  This method of conversing is not speaking the truth in order to hide one’s weaknesses or bring benefit only to oneself, or wrongfully accuse others.  False speech is making up things to say that are not true; thus, the result is others’ faith in us will be loss, discord will result among everyone, and hatred between the us and the object of our speech.  This is the main cause of suffering brought to oneself and others.  Therefore, one must not engage in this manner of speech if one wants to practice Right Speech.  Practicing Right Speech will not only reinforce trust and love between each other; it is also the best way to cultivate the trait of respecting the truth.  Furthermore, respecting the truth is key to annihilate suffering and thus Right Understanding.  Often, those who mislead (lie to) others will also lie to themselves, thus, resulting in destroying the ability to annihilate suffering.

2)  Abstaining from divisive speech:  It is speaking/gossiping with the intention to create discord between two people.  The harmful result is separation of two people/groups; hatred that could lead to fatal endings.  Because of the danger of this kind of speech, Indians defined it as “Severance of Friendship” and compared it to the malaria that spreads from one person to the next by the blood sucking mosquitoes.  Those who vow to annihilate suffering for themselves as well as others cannot practice this way of speaking.  To live in accordance with the law of interdependence, one needs to only speak words to construct, create peace and accord between all peoples.

3)  Abstaining from malicious speech:  It is speaking rudely to and belittling others.  Often, these are words are uttered due to hatred that turns friends into enemies.  Those who practice Right Speech have good intentions of bringing happiness to and reducing suffering for others; only use nice constructive speeches to benefit everyone.

4)  Abstaining from idle chatter:  means not speaking to falsely make someone feel better, look better, sound better; or to butter someone up, to brown-nose with the purpose of convincing others.  Due to the nature of this type of speech, it brings no benefit to the speaker or the listener.  On the contrary, it creates great confusion for all.  Those who practice Right Speech avoid this manner of speech and realize that as they embark on the road to mindfulness and peace, and to annihilate greed and lust, they must sometimes intervene to stop the this manner of speech from continuing.  We must know when to be silent and when to speak like the Buddha’s teachings (Right Dharma).  If one must speak to improve the current situation, then a brief and meaningful statement is worth more than thousands of rambling words.

IV.           Right Action

These are actions that bring no harm to other beings such as killing, stealing and adultery.  Actions are results of thoughts; therefore, right actions are often expressed through compassion such as actions that protect, give and are honorable and truthful.  Not killing, stealing, and committing adultery are concepts based on the compassionate foundation established by the Buddha so Buddhists like us can construct a peaceful life for ourselves, our families as well as our society.

V.              Right Livelihood

It is to live right and in accordance with Right Dharma.  Those who live right will not engage in occupations that defraud,,lie or exploit on others.  Right Livelihood is Right Action from the aspect of occupation.  In other words, Right Livelihood is not engaging in occupations that harms lives, individuals and the interest of others; such as slavery, butchery, selling arms, liquors, drugs, magazines, etc., or operating sweatshops.  Such occupations, on one hand, will harm ourselves, others and society in the material aspect as well as spiritually.  On the other hand, they will influence us in ways that destroy compassion and altruism of Right Thoughts and cultivate the bad seeds of greed, anger and ignorance, which are the ingredients that create suffering for ourselves and society.

VI.           Right Effort

Right effort means to actively annihilate evil thoughts, speeches, actions, etc., to achieve right understanding, thoughts, speeches, actions, livelihood, mindfulness and concentration.  Right effort is also called the Four Right Endeavors; that is, one is diligent in preventing immoral thoughts from arising; exterminating such thoughts if they already exist.  At the same time, one also needs to diligently develop virtuous thoughts; sustain and cultivate such thoughts if they already exist.  In other word, Right Effort is the energy to nurture and cultivate Right Thoughts.  With this effect, Right Effort is also the energy to transform other elements of the Eightfold Path into real power to end all suffering.

VII.        Right Mindfulness

Right Mindfulness is to reflect/remember mindfully about eliminating evil/malicious thought, speech, action, livelihood to arrive at right understanding, right thought, right speech, firth action, right livelihood; this is called Right Mindfulness, which is also to remember that our true and legitimate goal is to abolish all greed and lust in order to end suffering.  Hence, the final definition of Right Mindfulness is to remember of reflect that this body is impermanent, all wants lead to suffering, our mind is forever changing, all things have no-self.  When thinking that the body, whether it is our own or that of others, is assembled of blood and filth, then the greed for lust will not rise.  When thinking that all wants have the characteristic of being temporary and wanting brings suffering, one should not pursue to seek them out or to dive/submerge into the forever changing state of desire.  When thinking of mind, one will realize that it changes rapidly, non-stop – such characteristic will make our lives tense and stressful.  Therefore, one must be determined to find deliverance from these thought and find ways to subdue them.  When thinking of all things in this world - things we hear, see, taste, touch, etc., things that we perceive through our senses, are all silhouettes acknowledged by all six senses.  The very being of all things is a combination that derives from the Dependent Origination theory; none exists separately; therefore, how can one grab hold of it?  What we hold on to is only its silhouette – our perception, our thought of it.  Holding on to these things will cause confusion to our mind and our bodies weary. 

With this realization, a Buddhist is committed to eradicate the love for desires.  With its profound meaning, Right Mindfulness is an essential step towards bringing the mind back to the state of pureness, leading to concentration.  Without Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration cannot exist.

VIII.     Right Concentration

Concentration means the mind is stable.  To achieve this state, the mind cannot be attached to anything.  Therefore, the key factor to arrive at Concentration is to “let go”, to consciously forgo all greed and lust.  Thus, Right Concentration is the state of peace of the mind.  This state of peacefulness of the mind will transform the thought of letting go of greed and lust into a powerful detachment with the capability to annihilate all greed, lust , holding grudges, being stubborn or clinging to something that is not real; thus ending all suffering.  Therefore, Shakyamuni Buddha has declared:  A peaceful mind will liberate all immortals.

There are many ways to practice Right Concentration; for instance, the method of being mindful when breathing, being mindful with our body, mind, thoughts and senses, reflecting upon the Cause and Effect Theory  kind and generous heart, humble and patient heart, etc. These are all within the objective of bringing the mind to the state of unchanging and peacefulness attributed by completely forgoing all polluted thoughts, anger and ignorance.  The purified and peaceful mind is the basis for a happy and healthy life.

Epilogue

Above are detailed illustrations of the 8 elements making up the Eightfold Path and their inter-relationship.  This relationship can be pictured as a three-legged stool.  The first leg represents Precepts to include Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood.  The second leg represents Concentration to include Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.  The third leg represents Wisdom to include Right Understanding and Right Thought.  With the protection of Precepts, moderating/regulating our actions and speeches, our mind will easily obtain the concentration, which is necessary for the mind to purify and create opportunities for our wisdom to develop the extermination of suffering effect. 

At this point, one might ask how come Shakyamuni Buddha categorized Right Understanding and Right Thought of the third leg – Wisdom – in front of all other elements within the Eightfold Path that belong to Precepts and Concentration?  Why did He not categorize them in the order of Precepts – Concentration – Wisdom?  His action is not hard to understand.  The order in the Eightfold Path is what one must follow to practice.  The order within the three-legged stool is arranged from cause to effect.  All activities are initiated by the mind; if the mind is pure and peaceful then the results of our actions and speeches are good and positive.  On the contrary, if the mind is not pure and always changing then our actions and speeches can end up being evil, having negative impacts.  On the road to annihilate suffering, Right Understanding is the magnetic needle leading the way; whereas, Right Thought is the motivation that propels a Buddhist towards enlightenment that Right Understanding has paved the road.  Therefore, placing these two elements first on the list is inevitable.

If one looks at the important aspect of the eight elements, then Right Understanding, Right Effort and Right Mindfulness are three essential factors.  They are associated with one another to create wonderful energy that assists other elements to be completely represented.  Without these three elements, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood and Right Concentration cannot be cultivated and preserved.

The Dai Tu Thap (Mid Voume III) and Chanh Tri Kien (Mid Volume I) Sutras defined Right Understanding is an essential part of the Eightfold Path, Truth Path, or the way to cessation of all suffering.  With the presence of Right Understanding, there exist Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.  Without Right Understanding there will be the presence of evil, deviant, malicious thought, speech, action, livelihood, effort, etc.

From the above basic explanation regarding the Eightfold Path, we can see that living according to the Eightfold Path is how we must follow, practice and cultivate.  It is self discipline of our bodies, speeches and thoughts, where we involve self development and filtering.  It is not tied to religious ideology (belief/faith), praying, worshiping or religious ceremonies.  With this meaning, the Eightfold Path does not have anything to call it a regular religion.  It is a path towards the truth, complete freedom, happiness and peace that derived from the perfecting of one’s own morals, spiritual and intelligence.