03 Apr The 8 Practices Buddhists Use To Find Peace & Happiness
It’s often been noted that Positive Psychology shares much in common with Buddhism.
And that’s because it does! Buddhists have thought much about happiness, and living well, for thousands of years.
And now the research is proving they were and are right about a lot of things …
via Your Tango by Isabell Tenorio
Looking for liberation? Look no further than Buddhism. In this sacred religion and lifestyle, there is a path laid out as the journey to enlightenment that encompasses the three essentials of Buddhism: moral conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom.
For those who practice Buddhism, the Eightfold Path helps lead one to liberation from samsara (wandering). But in order to reach Nirvana, one must first understand what the Eightfold Path is exactly.
What is the Noble Eightfold Path?
According to the dictionary, the Eightfold Path is “the Buddhist teaching of the means of attaining Nirvana through rightness of belief, resolve, speech, action, livelihood, effort, thought, and meditation.”
The Eightfold Path is a guide that is contemplated when each step is accepted as part of one’s life they seek. It consists of eight steps: right view/understanding, right resolve/intent/thought, right speech, right conduct/action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
Indologist Tilmann Vetter explained that the Eightfold Path may have initially been as simple as the term “the Middle Way” and, over time, it was elaborated on. Vetter, as well as historian Rod Bucknell, also noted that longer descriptions of the Eighfold Path are found in earlier texts.
The Eightfold Path was used to teach people the Buddhist way of life and the path toward liberation or freedom. Several aspects include an ethical and balanced way.
For example, we experience a feeling inside that confirms the decision we made was correct when things go right. However, the Buddha also taught a shortened version of this within the fourth step called the Threefold Way. This path to Nirvana required three main approaches: ethics, meditation, and wisdom.
The Eightfold Path Of Buddhism & Meanings
The Eightfold Path is integrated into one’s everyday life when deciding to be a Buddhist. Also known as the Middle Way, as mentioned above, people seek simple approaches to life and turn away from extremes.
Path 1: Right understanding (Samma ditthi)
This is a significant step in the Eightfold Path as it relates to seeing the world in its true form, not as we want it to be or believe it to be. The preparation for a journey is important, not just the journey itself.
To further understand, direct personal experience is what will get us closer to the Right Understanding of the world. Because, “Knowing reality is of very little value if we don’t put it to personal use in our lives,” as Buddha101 shares…
… keep reading the full & original article HERE