The Essence of the Eightfold Path

1) Proper Understanding

.........The Four Noble Truths

.........Dependent Origination

.........Karma and Rebirth

.........The Three Characteristics of Existence

..................Impermanence (Everything that has a beginning has an ending)

..................Dukkha

..................No-Self

2) Proper Thought

.........Non-Attachment

.........Loving-Kindness

.........Harmlessness

3) Proper Speech

.........Respect for the Truth

.........Avoiding Lying, Back Biting, Slander, Harsh Speech, and Idle Talk

4) Proper Action

.........Respect of Life. Refraining from killing or harming living beings. Protecting those unable to protect themselves.

.........Respect for the property of others.

.........Refraining from sexual or sensual misconduct. Protecting others from sexual exploitation.

.........Refraining from false, harsh, or harmful speech. Allowing kindness, generosity, patience, the desire to help others to guide one’s speech.

.........Refraining from taking anything that would cause intoxication or heedlessness.

5) Proper Livelihood

.........Not to engage in the trading of human beings.

.........Not to engage in the trading of weapons.

.........Not to engage in the sex trade.

.........Not to engage in the trading of intoxicating drinks or drugs.

.........Not to engage in the trading of poisons.

6) Proper Effort

.........The effort to reject evil that has already arisen.

.........The effort to prevent the arising of evil.

.........The effort to develop the non-arisen good.

.........The effort to maintain the good that has already arisen.

7) Proper Mindfulness

.........Constantly aware of the body, the feelings, the mind, and mind objects.

8) Proper Concentration

.........To have no distractions in the practice of Proper Mindfulness