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Practical guidance for following the eight-fold path

Musty

Musty

Active Member
As the title suggests I'm looking for some practical guidance on how to go about following the eight-fold path since I'm not sure where to start. I'm becoming increasingly aware that it's one thing to read about the Dhamma but it's something else completely to put it into practice.

My initial thoughts are to spend some time each day thinking about the experiences I've had during the day, writing them down and then writing comments on how I could have dealt with the situations differently in accordance with eight-fold path. Through this process of reflection it should help fix each aspect of the eight-fold path into my mind and I can also read over my notes to remind myself of issues I've already dealt with.

If you've got any other suggestions for what's worked for your or can recommend any sutta's that provide good guidance on this it would be greatly appreciated.
 
Treks

Treks

Well-Known Member
I know this is the Buddhism DIR, but I had a book a while ago called "How to Practice" by the Dalai Lama. I don't know if it's relevant.
 
O

Osal

Active Member
Musty said:
As the title suggests I'm looking for some practical guidance on how to go about following the eight-fold path since I'm not sure where to start. I'm becoming increasingly aware that it's one thing to read about the Dhamma but it's something else completely to put it into practice.

My initial thoughts are to spend some time each day thinking about the experiences I've had during the day, writing them down and then writing comments on how I could have dealt with the situations differently in accordance with eight-fold path. Through this process of reflection it should help fix each aspect of the eight-fold path into my mind and I can also read over my notes to remind myself of issues I've already dealt with.

If you've got any other suggestions for what's worked for your or can recommend any sutta's that provide good guidance on this it would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

I Think the 8FNP is best traversed through meditation practice. The path will arise as a consequence of practice. Simply trying to follow what you think the path is or is about will only lead to frustration and suffering.
 
Rick O'Shez

Rick O'Shez

Irishman bouncing off walls
Osal said:
I Think the 8FNP is best traversed through meditation practice. The path will arise as a consequence of practice. Simply trying to follow what you think the path is or is about will only lead to frustration and suffering.
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I disagree, meditation is only one aspect of the path. And wanting to explore the 8-fold path is actually very sensible.
 
O

Osal

Active Member
Spiny Norman said:
I disagree, meditation is only one aspect of the path. And wanting to explore the 8-fold path is actually very sensible.
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I never said that meditation was the only aspect. Rather, that the other 7 aspects can arise from meditative practice. A person can actually try to cultivate Right Speech, for example, through force of will, but I have serious doubt that this would lead to any realization.
 
Twilight Hue

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Understanding as to why the eightfold path is oftentimes portrayed as a wheel. Not just textually a sage list to read, memorize, and to follow, but as a means by which fluidity and interconnectedness is experienced throughout the eightfold path.

It's approached something like this, as I've been taught,

Right view

Leads to....

Right intention,

Leads to...

Right speech,

Leads to..

Right action,

Leads to...

Right livelihood,

Leads to..

Right effort,

Leads to..

Right mindfulness,

Leads to..

Right concentration...

Leads to....

Right view.

Leads to.....

Unbroken wheel.


No beginning, no end, no start, no finish.... .. you can eventually stop counting to 8 once it's mastered.


Best wishes. :0]
 
O

Osal

Active Member
Nowhere Man said:
Understanding as to why the eightfold path is oftentimes portrayed as a wheel. Not just textually a sage list to read, memorize, and to follow, but as a means by which fluidity and interconnectedness is experienced throughout the eightfold path.

It's approached something like this, as I've been taught,

Right view

Leads to....

Right intention,

Leads to...

Right speech,

Leads to..

Right action,

Leads to...

Right livelihood,

Leads to..

Right effort,

Leads to..

Right mindfulness,

Leads to..

Right concentration...

Leads to....

Right view.

Leads to.....

Unbroken wheel.


No beginning, no end, no start, no finish.... ..
Click to expand...

But didn't you just give us a plainly linear explanation?
 
O

Osal

Active Member
Nowhere Man said:
Understanding as to why the eightfold path is oftentimes portrayed as a wheel.
Click to expand...

Good analogy.

I was taught that a wheel, generally, is emblematic of the Dharma - as in "turning the wheel of..." - and when 8 spokes are pictured, these represent the 8-fold path. Spokes are what make a wheel strong and true. The allow the wheel to be properly centered, which also connects to the word "dukkha" which, in common usage, meant the experience of a wheel that was off-center, out of round, or not "true".
 
Twilight Hue

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Osal said:
But didn't you just give us a plainly linear explanation?
Click to expand...
If It's precieved so. Then it's plainly yes.

A lot of folks I think firstly approach it in that way and manner. Much like the linear instruction givin when first learning to sit and counting breath.

Of course, things do inevitably take off in interesting directions.....

It reminds me, Just for the hell of It. I gotta try out some freaky non linear kinhin.
 
Vishvavajra

Vishvavajra

Active Member
Having right views is the first step. That means believing that you are inherently free and that your vexations can be transcended through mindful practice. If you don't believe the path works, then you won't practice diligently.

If you have right views, then you put those views into practice, being mindful of your thoughts, words, deeds, etc. Don't make exceptions or excuses; in all things strive to do what is useful and avoid what is detrimental. If you err, recognize what went wrong and do better next time. Practice diligently in all aspects of life, including morality and meditative practice. Always strive to be present and grounded in this moment and not to let your thoughts run away with you.

Do those things and you'll be on the path. The eight parts are there because ancient Indians loved lists. It's really just a matter of putting one's intentions into practice.
 
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