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The Noble Eightfold Path- The Middle Way This is the path for leading a pure religious life without going to extremes An outstanding aspect of the Buddha’s teaching id the Eightfold path, which is to be adopted as a noble way of life. Another name for the Eightfold path is The Middle Path. The Buddha advised his followers to follow this path so as to avoid the extremes of sensual pleasures and self-mortification. The middle path is a righteous way of life that does not advocate the acceptance of decrees given by someone outside oneself. A person practises the Middle Path, the guide for moral conduct, not out of fear of any supernatural agency, but out of the recognising the intrinsic value in following such an action. He or she chooses this self-imposed discipline with a definite end in view self-purification. The Middle Path is a planned course of inward culture and progress. A person can make real progress in righteousness in righteousness and insight by following this Path even without engaging in external worship and prayers. According to the Buddha, any one who lives in accordance with Dharma will be guided and protected by that very universal Law. When a person lives according to Dharma, he or she will also live in harmony with the universal law. Every Buddhist is encouraged to mould his or her life according to the Noble Eightfold Path as taught by the Buddha. One who adjusts one’s life according to noble way of living will be free from miseries and calamities both in this life time and hereafter. One will also be able to develop the mind by restraining from evil and observing morality. The Eightfold Path can be compared to a road map. Just as a traveller will need a map to reach a destination, we all need the Eightfold Path which shows us how to attain Nirvana, the final goal of human life. To attain final goal, there are three aspect of the Eightfold Path to be developed by the Devotee. One has to develop Sila (Morality), Samadhi (Mental Culture) and Panna (Wisdom). While the three must be developed simultaneously, the intensity which any one area is to be practised varies according to the person’s own spiritual development. A devotee must first develop morality, that is his or her action should bring good to other living beings. One does this by faithfully adhering to the precepts of abstaining from killing, slandering, stealing, becoming intoxicated or being lustful. As one develops one’s morality, the mind will become more easily controlled, enabling one to develop one’s morality , the mind will become more easily controlled, enabling one to develop one’s powers of concentration. Finally, with the development of concentration, wisdom will arise. Gradual development With his infinite wisdom, the Buddha knew that not all humans have the same ability to reach spiritual maturity at once. So he expounded the Noble Eightfold Path for the Gradual development of the spiritual way of life in the Practical way. He knew that not all people can become perfect in the life time. He said that Sila, Samadhi and Panna, must and can be developed over many lifetime with diligent effort. This path finally leads to the attainment of ultimate peace where there is no more unsatisfactoriness. The Eightfold Path consists of the following eight factors:
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