The Noble Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering # 7Effort, Right Mindfulness and Tight Concentration contributing to our meditation.The Components of the Eightfold Path all arise togetherWhen the factors the Eightflfold Path arise, they do so to gether-just as the elder monk kondanna, after lidtening to the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta instantly attained the fruit of the Stream-Entry. All eight components of the Path arose simultaneously allowing the mind to attain the Fruit of stream-Enterer. The wisdom of Right View at the level of the Steam Enterer allowed Kondana to see the Four Noble Trulths. He gained insight into clinging to the five Aggreing [tanha] which is the cause of such clinging as the second Noble Truth, the extinction of craving as the third Noble Truth and the Noble Eightfold Path as the Path to the Cessation of craving.As for Right Intention or initial intention [vitaka], he would immediately and definitively be able to release himself from the three types of Wrong preoccupation once and for all: preoccupation with desire [kamavitaka], preoccupation with illwill [byapadavitaka] and preoccupation with aggression [uihimsavitaka].As for Right Speech, he would immediately and definitively be able to release himself from the four types of Wrong Speech once and for all: lying speech [musavada], and idle chatter [samphappalavaca].As for Right Action, he would immediately and definitively be able to release himself from the three types of Wrong Action once and for all: killing living beings [panatipata], stealing [adinnadana], and committing adultery [kamesumicchacara].As for Right Effort, he would immediately and definitively be able to release himself from the four types fo Wrong Effort: doing of evils not yet done, maintainance of evils already done, not doing virtues not yet done and abandoning virtues already mastered.self-discipline is used to overcome the defilementsof hatred and meditation is used to overcome our desires.As for Right Mindfulness, he would immediately and definitively be able to appreciate that the aggregate of corporeality [rupakhandha] is subject to the Three Signs (impermanence, suffering and not-self), the aggregate of feeling [vedanakhandha] is subject to suffering, the aggregate and falling away the whole of the time and that the aggregates of sense-registration (perception) [sanna] and mental formations [sankhara] are of a nature of not-self because they are not under our control.As for Right Concentration, this would arise immediately and definitively by the strength of the foregoing seven factors of the Eightfold Path in order to give rise to one-pointed and steadfast absorption of the mind onto Nirvana.Thus all eight components of the Eightfold Path arise to gether –the Path of the Sotapatti Fruit in the mind and the various forms of underlying action.Right Intention becomes the tool of Right View-just as our hands are the tools of our ability to see things – if we want to take a close look at something, we have to use our hands to turn it over and see all its aspects. Our intention controls our conduct and our lives, but at the same time, the faculty of Right View constantly monitors the events of our lives reflecting “this set of phenomena belongs to the sensual sphere”. “this set of phenomena belongs to the form sphere”. “this set of phenomena belongs to the Formless sphere”. In monitoring for the Three Signs of impermanence, suffering and not self, Right Intention is like a salesperson which proposes various moods and situations for its approval.Right Speech and Right Action are the tools of Right Livelihood because whenever our actions and speech are faultless, our means of livelihood will become faultless too.this set of phenomena belongs to the form sphereRight Effort and Right Mindfulness are the tools of Right friends who enter the forest together. Pne of those friends sees a champak blossom out of reach on a tree and would like to get it for himself. One of the friends thus stoops down so that the others can stand on him. The second friend stands on him with the other on his shoulders and in that way they are able to reach down the flower blossom. In the same way, Right Effort has to bend down in order that Right Mindfulness can stand on him. Meanwhile Right Concentration sits on the shoulders of Right Mindfulness and is the one to pluck the blossom.Ways of Analysing the Eightfold PathThreefold AnalysisIf the Eightfold Path is analysed into three parts then it is divided as follows: with Right View and Right Intention contributing to our wisdom; Right Speech, Right Action and Right Livelihood contributing to Self-Discipline, and ; RightEffort, Right Mindfulness and Tight Concentration contributing to our meditation.Wisdom is used to overcome the defilements of delusion, self-discipline is used to overcome the defilements of hatred and meditation is used to overcome our desires.Twofold AnalysisIf the Eightfold Path is analysed into two parts according to the knowledge [vijja] and the conduct [carana] exemplified by the Buddha then Right View and Right Intention contribute to our knowledge, and; Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right concentration contribute to our conductIt is said that knowledge can be compared to our two eyes while conduct can be compared to the two feet on which we stand. A person making a journey has to have clear vision to see that path ahead is fruitful and not assailed by dangers. With a strong pair of legs, we can use our two feet to make progress on the path we can see ahead. In the same way, a person who follows the Noble Eightfold Path until attaining degrees of sainthood will find that the Path brngs no suffering and indeed is the cause of immense happiness. One will know this for oneself by the wisdom arising through the two eyes of one’s Right View and Right Intention. One will see that the six components of conduct are a path ahead which are free of all dangers bringing one surely to one’s destination." /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " /> " />
The Noble Truth of the Path to the Cessation of Suffering # 7
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