This text discusses key principles of the Noble Eightfold Path, focusing on ethical conduct such as Right Speech, Right Action which includes abstaining from stealing and committing adultery, and Right Livelihood emphasizing honest living for monks. It explains Right Effort involving the Four Foundations of Effort, and Right Mindfulness which is centered on awareness of the body, feelings, mind, and mental phenomena. By understanding and applying these principles, one can live a more mindful and ethical life, aligning with the teachings of the Buddha. For more insights, visit dmc.tv.
Stealing [adinnādāna]: Taking that which is not given;
Committing adultery [kāmesumicchācarā]: abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage.
5. Right Livelihood
The Lord Buddha taught his monks to avoid earning their living in a dishonest way — especially trying to impress supporters into making offerings by claiming mental attainments not yet reached, being a witch doctor or an alternative doctor. Furthermore monks should live by almsround, not by begging nor making requests of strangers nor investing money — monks should live in an honest way in the ways recommended by the Noble Ones.
6. Right Effort
Right Effort is composed of the Four Foundations of Effort, namely:
Avoidance of evils not yet done [saṃvara-padhāna]; Abandonment of evils already done [pahāna-padhāna]; Development of virtues not yet done [bhāvanā-padhāna]; Maintenance of virtues already mastered [anurakkhaṇapadhāna].
7. Right Mindfulness
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness comprise:
Mindfulness of the body [kāyanupassanāsatipaṭṭhāna]; Mindfulness of the feelings [vedanānupassanāsatipaṭṭhāna]; Mindfulness of the mind [cittānupassanāsatipaṭṭhāna]; Mindfulness of mental phenomena [dhammānupassanāsatipaṭṭhāna].
7.1 Mindfulness of the Body in the Body
Mindfulness of the body means being able to see and consider one’s inner bodies continuously — to see the various inner bodies that are nested in inner dimensions of our physical human body, all the way from our subtle human body