Thursday, August 13, 2015

The Use of the Word "Right" (Samma) in the Noble Eightfold Path



It's better that we understand right as "this is appropriate," "this works," "this is in sync with Reality." Right, on the eightfold path, doesn't mean right versus wrong so much as it means seeing versus not seeing. It refers to being in touch with Reality as opposed to being deluded by our own prejudices, thoughts, and beliefs. Samma [Pali for samyak] refers to Wholeness rather than fragmentation. Thus, when I use the word "right" . . . I intend it to refer to what is conducive to awakening.

---Steve Hagen---

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