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The Noble Eightfold Path is too Difficult a Path for Most People to Follow. Kate Macdonald. Buddhism is completely alien to our western culture. It does not;. Pretend to describe our world as perfect. Include a God or creator. Most Importantly it does; Directly address the
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The Noble Eightfold Path is too Difficult a Path for Most People to Follow Kate Macdonald
It does not; • Pretend to describe our world as perfect. • Include a God or creator. • Most Importantly it does; • Directly address the • suffering that humankind encounters.
The Buddha requires us to eliminate or limit Dukkha through the Noble Eightfold Path.
Examples of the aspects of the Noble Eightfold path that may not be compatible with our culture; • Celibacy • Vegetarianism • Begging for all essentials
For a Lay person the Noble Eightfold path is not as strict • Sexual relations are only expected to be legitimate. • Employment is permitted so long as it does not harm another living being.
The Noble Eightfold Path is entirely continuous. It lasts for a lifetime and requires utter dedication.
The Stage of Ethics (Sila) includes; • Right Speech (samma-vaca) • Right Action (samma-kammanta) • Right Livelihood (samma-ajiva)
Stages in the Ethics Section; Develop a new awareness of ethical issues and mental determinate that lead to the resolution of any faults made.
Guidelines that Buddhists are expected to keep at this stage; • Five precepts • Five livelihoods to avoid • The kind of speech to refrain from
‘ Right Action aims at promoting moral, honourable and peaceful conduct. It admonishes us that we should abstain from destroying life, from stealing, from dishonest dealing, from illegitimate sexual intercourse, and that we should also help others to lead a peaceful and honourable life in the right way’ Walpola Sri Rahula
The Section of Meditation includes; • Right Effort • Right Mindfulness • Right Concentration This section trains the mind to control thoughts and feelings and to prepare it for insight into the truth of Samsara.
Meditation is hard to master and is acquired through time. • Monastics are required to attain spontaneous thought of good and a clear mind.
One’s motivator would be the knowledge of the truth of Samsara, and therefore as soon as you are aware of this it would be less difficult for the path to be followed as there would be an understood purpose or aim.
Conclusion The overall path requires; • The renunciation of many materialistic items and the more idle ways of living. • However with the knowledge and understanding of the purpose of this one can be motivated and determined to follow the path with ease.