Noble Eightfold Path

The Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path is considered “the roadmap for Buddhist living,” according to Arnie Kozak in his work The Everything Buddhism Book (41). Though samyak, the Hindu word that prefaces each aspect of the Eightfold Path, is often translated as either “right” or “perfect,” when the Buddha assigns this adjective, a more correct translation is “appropriate.” What may be a good action aligned with the path in one situation, may not be appropriate in a different situation. The most important thing to consider is if your action will “do no harm,” or if it will do good (Kozak 44). The goal of the Eightfold Path and the Three Higher Trainings, as is in Buddhism, is the cessation of suffering. Each aspect of the Eightfold Path is separated
These disciplines all relate to mental training and strength. Right effort means finding the appropriate balance between laziness and overworking. An example that Kozak gives is when the Buddha is attaining enlightenment, he expends great effort to continue his journey, but is also sitting in a state of serene meditation. He expands upon this idea that at least some energy must be given to attain enlightenment with the cliche “there is no such thing as free lunch in the universe” (46). The next step on the Eightfold path is right mindfulness. The practice of mindfulness causes the realization of impermanence, whether it is of the breath or life, and helps recognize the existence of dukkha, suffering. The key of mindfulness is non-judgment, and it aligns with right effort, as mindfulness requires a certain amount of effort, and effort is “futile,” without mindfulness (Kozak 48). When this suffering is realized in the absence of judgement, true compassion can be practiced, which was one of the Buddha’s main moral teachings. Kozak specifies that a foundation of right concentration is necessary for right mindfulness, though he lists mindfulness as the former. Practicing concentration makes mindfulness easier, as it forms the foundation of