Dear friends,
You may know more about this than I do. But as I would like to illustrate basic agreement among the major world Religions I will include it.
The Noble Eightfold Path
Wisdom
1. Right View2. Right Intention
Ethical Conduct
3. Right Speech4. Right Action5. Right Livelihood
Mental Development
6. Right Effort7. Right Mindfulness8. Right Concentration
These describe the way to end suffering, as said to have been laid out by Siddhartha Gautama. The basic ideas are a guideline to ethical and mental development. The goal is to free ourselves from attacvhments and delusions. Individuals who lived in this way would find themselves in an excellent groupenvironment.
The Buddha was practical. My understanding is that He didn't want to encourage speculative discussions about spiritual matters as there was too much of that He wanted people to practice these principles in order to attain a higher level of existence and to finally reach "Nirvana". A lot has been written about what "Nirvana" means and it has been made very mystical, in my slight opinion.
1.Right view in its simplest sense seems to mean to see and understand things as they really are.
2.Right intention in its simplest sense seems to mean a *commitment* to ethical and mental self-improvement. There are three kinds of right intention: 1. Resistance to the pull of desire. 2. The intention of good will, meaning resistance to feelings of anger and aversion. 3. The intenion of harmlessness, meaning not to think or act cruelly, violently or aggressively, and to develop compassion.
3. Right Speech in its simplest sense seems to mean that words can break or save lives. It can make enemies or friends. It can start war or create peace.The kinds of right intention are: 1. Abstain from lies or deliberate lies, and not to speak deceitfully. 2. Don't slander, or use words maliciously against others. 3. Don't offend or hurt others with harsh words. 4. Refrain from idle chatter that lacks purpose or depth.
In a nutshell, it means tell the truth, speak friendly, warm and gently, and speak only of worthwhile things.
4. Right Action in its simplest sense is about deeds that involve bodily actions. Unwholesome actions lead to unsound states of mind. Wholesomeactions lead to sound states of mind.For instance: 1. Try not to needlessly harm living beings, especially don't take sentient life, including suicide. 2. Don't take what isn't given to you. This includes stealing, robbery, fraud, deceitfulness and dishonesty. 3. Stay away from sexual misconduct. In a nutshell again, act kindly and compassionately. Be honest. Respect what belongs to others. Keep sexual relationships harmless to others.
5. Right Livlihood in its simplest form means that wealth should be gained legally and peacefully in a good way. There are four activities that harm others. They are: 1. Dealing in weapons 2. Dealing in living beings, including raising animals for slaughter, the slave trade, and prostitution. 3. Working in meat production and butchery. 4. Selling intoxicating things and poisons such as alcohol and recreational drugs. Any other occupations that would go against the principles of right speech and right action should also be avoided.
6. Right Effort is what is needed before the above principles of the path can be followed. Nothing can be achieved without effort, which is an act of the will, and mental energy. Misguided effort distracts the mind from its task and leads to confusion. The same kind of energy that fuels desire, envy, aggression and violence can be used in the other direction to fuel self-discipline, honesty, benevolence, and kindness.
7. Right Mindfulness in its simplest form is the mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness. There are mind patterns of thought that happen only half consciously and cause us to see only things unclearly. Thesuggested ways to actively observe and control the way our thoughts go are called "the four foundations of mindfulness. They are: 1. awareness of your body 2. Awareness of your feelings (repulsion, attraction or neutral.) 3. Awareness of your state of mind 4. Awareness of what is occuring.
8. Right Concentration ioin its simplest form is a state where all menddddtal faculties are unified and directed in wholesome concentration onto one particular object or point. If you wish to develop it through a practise of meditation that is done by choosing a selected object. Direct the mind on it. Sustain concentration on it. Finally intensify the concentration step by step. This method helps it to become natural to apply elevated levels of concentration also in everyday situations.
It is so easy for me to fall in love with the beauty of the simple, core teachings of each of the great world Religions. They feel timeless and universal. It shouldn't be hard for you to see how these core Buddhist teachings agree with the Ten Commandments of Moses, and the distilled Two from the Ten of Moses, given by Jesus Christ.
I hope you find this exploration interesting.
Warmly, Mary
