Understanding Suffering and the Noble Eightfold Path : หน้า 79/115

2. Origin of suffering - Suffering arises from attachment to desire, craving (tanha). People themselves create this suffering by trying to cling on to worldly pleasures. 3. Cessation of suffering - Suffering ceases when attachment to desire ceases. If people set their feelings free and abandoned material hopes and dreams then suffering would end. 4. Freedom from suffering is possible by practicing the Noble Eightfold Path. · *Noble Eightfold Path (the Path to end suffering)* 1. Right View - view and wisdom in accordance with the Truths; to have a positive attitude about others as well as themselves. 2. Right Thought - to think without selfishness, anger and cruelty; to consider the plight of others with sympathy and understanding. 3. Right Speech - to speak the truth, not to gossip or slander, not to use harsh language, not to say things that are hurtful. 4. Right Action - good conduct earned by not killing or harming humans and animals, not stealing, not committing sexual misconducts, not taking intoxicants. 5. Right Livelihood - to practice honest and wholesome professions; to avoid occupations that involve cheating on others or causing harm or suffering to anyone. 6. Right Effort - effort to do good and avoid bad; living in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha. 7. Right Mindfulness - to be conscientious, to be aware of the consequences of personal actions 8. Right Concentration - to cultivate the mind in the proper way. · *The Three Characteristics of Life* All compounded things are impermanent (anicca), unsatisfactory (dukha) and nonself (anatta). Because everything is subject to change it eventually brings suffering to those who hold onto it. Once letting go has taken place we are free. 1. Anicca - Impermanence. Transiency. Nothing is permanent; everything is subject to change. Attachment to all things that are impermanent causes suffering.