What Makes You a Buddhst?

The Eight elements of the Noble Eightfold Path are grouped into one of three divisions; Wisdom, Ethics or Morality, and Concentration.

Within the division of Wisdom (Prajna) we find: Perfect Understanding and Perfect Thought.

Perfect Understanding (View, Perspective, Outlook) is both an understanding of the Buddha’s Teaching and also an acknowledgement of why we have chosen to follow these teachings: These teachings include the Four Noble Truths, Cause and Effect, Impermanence, and Non-Self.

Perfect Thought (Resolve, Conception, Aspiration, Intention) refers to the Practices of Non-Attachment, Loving-Kindness, and Harmlessness

Within the division of Ethics or Morality (Sila) we find: Perfect Speech, Perfect Action, and Perfect Livelihood.

Perfect Speech is respect for the Truth and the avoidance of Lying, Backbiting, Slander, Harsh Speech, and Idle Talk

Perfect Action (Conduct) is expressed by the Five Precepts. These Precepts help us do our best to protect living beings and all living things, to respect the property of others, to be sexually mature, to use words truthfully and compassionately, and to respect and care for our own body and mind.

Perfect Livelihood advises that we not engage in an occupation that’s at variance with the ideals of Perfect Action, of Compassion, and of Wisdom. These traditionally are listed as the buying and selling of human beings, the buying and selling of weapons, the sex trade, the buying and selling of intoxicating drinks or drugs, and the creation and the buying and selling of poisons. I’m sure each of us could add to this list.

Within the final division, the division of Concentration (Samadhi), we find: Perfect Effort, Perfect Mindfulness, and Perfect Concentration.

Perfect Effort (Endeavor, Diligence) is the effort to reject and deny the unwholesome and the effort to develop and grow the wholesome that is within all us.

Perfect Mindfulness (Awareness, Attention) is to be constantly aware of our body, our words, our feelings, and our thoughts.

And Perfect Concentration (Meditation) means no distractions in our practice of Perfect Mindfulness of our practice of the Path as a whole. This is why we practice meditation, to help us in our Mindfulness our Awareness. And this is why we practice the Eightfold Path.

We look to the Eightfold Path to develop insight into the true nature of phenomena, of reality. We look to the Path to help eradicate greed, hatred, and delusion.

So, if someone asks you, “What makes you a Buddhist?” You might answer, “I look to the Eightfold Path. I’m a student of the Compassionate Teacher.”