The Noble Eightfold Path

April 26, 2014

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the Kids Corner website! My name is Ruvini, and I am very excited to help all of you learn more about Buddhism. Check out all the links to the left, like "The Life of the Buddha" and "Buddhist Tales" to brush up on your knowledge. Remember, if you have any questions, or would like to contact me, feel free to email me by clicking on "Contact Us" on the link at the left.

Here, I will be talking about the Noble Eightfold Path. We will learn about one new point at a time until we complete the path.

What is the Noble Eightfold Path? Think about it this way...

Lets say that your life is made of paths. Every decision you make means that you have to choose and follow a path. But how do you know which path to take? When you make a decision, you have to choose one that will be the best in the end. The teachings of the Buddha say that the best path that you can take is the Noble Eightfold Path. This is part of the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism. Life has dukkha (suffering). However, the Noble Eightfold Path is the path to ending suffering and achieving self-awakening. Being self-awakened means that you have become completely wholesome, wise, free, and understand everything. Wouldn't you like to follow this path?

The Noble Eightfold Path is the path to ending suffering. There are eight parts to this path (that's why the path is "eightfold"). We will talk about all eight points more in future newsletters. If you don't know what all of the words mean in these points, I will explain them all. Click on them to learn! Here are the eight points:

1. Right View

2. Right Intention

3. Right Speech

4. Right Action

5. Right Livelihood

6. Right Effort

7. Right Mindfulness

8. Right Concentration

Why do all of the eight points start with the word "right?" Right means complete or correct. For example, the first point, the right view, means the complete view or the correct view.

If it is followed correctly, the Noble Eightfold Path can end suffering. The path can be shown with the Dhamma Wheel. Notice that the wheel has eight spokes just like the Noble Eightfold Path has eight points. The picture below describes each of the eight points shortly.

Remember, life has dukkha (suffering). The way to be free of suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path by practicing the eight points that I listed earlier. I hope that you will try to follow the Noble Eightfold Path in your life and have complete happiness, free from suffering. Remember to check back next month to learn about more about the first point of the Noble Eightfold Path, Right View.

Thank you for reading!

Your new friend,

Ruvini