THE PATH

The steps of the Noble Eightfold Path fall under three headings:  understanding, morals, and concentration.  They are so planned as to lead progressively to arahatship (sainthood) and thus finally to Nirvana.

The first step in the Eightfold Path is Right Belief, that is, belief in the Four Noble Truths and the view of life implied in them. 

The next step, Right Aspiration or Purpose, is reached by resolving to overcome sensuality, by having the right love of others, by causing no harm to other beings, and by suppressing all misery-producing desires generally.

The third and fourth steps, Right Speech and then Right Conduct, are defined as not indulging in loose or harmful talk or ill-will. 

Right Means of Livelihood, the fifth step, means obtaining one's livelihood in ways consistent with Buddhist principles, such as, again, causing no harm to others.

The sixth step, Right Effort, implies unremitting intellectual alertness in discriminating between wise and unwise desires and attachments. 

Right Mindfulness, the seventh step, comes of well-disciplined thought habits and attention to topics helpful to oneself and to others. 

Lastly, Right Meditation or Absorption refers to the climax of all the other processes, the final attainment of states of consciousness that assure passage at death into Nirvana, all karma consumed, and rebirth forever at an end.