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the 8 fold path for a happy life explained simply and clearly
The document outlines the Eightfold Path, a fundamental teaching of the Buddha that aims to alleviate suffering through wise understanding, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration. It highlights the Four Noble Truths, which address the reality of suffering and the path to its relief, as well as the Five Precepts for ethical conduct. Additionally, it discusses overcoming mental hindrances and the stages of enlightenment to achieve a deeper understanding and happiness.
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the 8 fold path for a happy life explained simply and clearly
- 2. The Eightfold Pathis one of the Buddha’s teachings. He often taught it as a proposal: test it and see if you find it true.
- 3.
- 4. Four Noble Truths:The First Noble Truth 1 There is Suffering
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- 6. Unavoidable Suffering Being withpeople you do not want to be with Not being with people you want to be with Having experiences you do not want to have Not having experiences you want to have
- 7. The Second NobleTruth 2 There is resistance to suffering
- 8. Resistance to suffering isavoidable
- 9. The Third NobleTruth 3 There is relief from suffering
- 10. The Fourth NobleTruth 4 The path to relief from suffering is the Eightfold Path
- 11. Step One onthe Eightfold Path Wise Understanding See things as they really are (clear seeing)
- 12. Dependent Origination How weexperience life & where we often get stuck seeing things differently from what they are Senses & sense objects Perceptions Feeling Thinking Consciousness
- 13. Step Two onthe Eightfold Path Wise Intention Let go of Anger Let go of Greed Let go of Ignorance
- 14. Step Three onthe Eightfold Path Wise Speech Speak the truth Speak with compassion Give praise Speak to help and benefit others
- 15. Step Four onthe Eightfold Path Wise Action Be Compassionate Give – time, gifts, love… Protect life
- 16. Wise Action &the Five Precepts Do not kill Do not take what is not freely given Do not use sexual behavior in a way that harms Do not engage in harsh, false or idle speech (and no gossip) Do not use intoxicants
- 17. Step Five onthe Eightfold Path Wise Livelihood Engage in moral work Do no harm to others Do no harm to yourself
- 18. Wise Livelihood Do nowork involving gambling Do no work involving prostitution Do no work involving intoxicants Do no work involving arms Do no work involving killing, stealing or lying
- 19. Step Six onthe Eightfold Path Wise Effort Avoid that which will lead to suffering Encourage that which will lead to happiness
- 20. Wise Effort When troublesome thoughtscome up, ignore them. It that does not work, observe them arise, observe the feelings, thought process and then observe when it fades away. Or change your focus to wholesome thoughts. Practice loving-kindness meditation, focus on the outcome of activities you know will harm you or others, meditate on the unattractive parts of something or someone you lust over, focus on something simple like your breath.
- 21. Step Seven onthe Eightfold Path Mindfulness Be present every moment
- 22. Mindfulness Be present everymoment with everything that is
- 23. The Five Hindrances Ill-will,anger, hatred, bitterness Desire, greed, wanting, craving Sloth - slow mind, torpor - sleepiness, dullness Restlessness, worry, agitation, crowded thoughts Doubt
- 24. Ill-will Desire Sloth & torpor Restlessness Doubt Antidotesto the Five Hindrances Loving kindness, give that person a gift Think about consequences or ugly parts Walk, look at light, up your determination Focus on breath, focus on the thoughts Talk to someone else who practices
- 25. Step Eight onthe Eightfold Path Concentration Be present with all that is all the time
- 26. The 10 Fetters 1.Personality 2. Doubt 3. Attachment to ritual 4. Desire 5. Ill will 6. Desire to go beyond human consciousness 7. Desire to be beyond a material form 8. Conceit 9. Restlessness 10. Ignorance (ignorance is not directly realizing he 4 noble truths)
- 27. The Four Stagesof Enlightenment 1. Destroy any of first 3 fetters 2. Weaken desire or ill will 3. Complete eradication of desire or ill will 4. Destroy any of last 5 fetters Fruition of 1st state when you destroy all three first fetters Fruition of 2nd state when you weaken both desire and ill will Fruition of 3rd state when you completely eradicate both desire and ill will Fruition of 4th state when you destroy all of the last five fetters.
- 28. The Eightfold Path the7 enlightenment factors (How you know it’s working)
- 29. The 7 EnlightenmentFactors Energy Joy Tranquility Concentration EquanimityMindfulness Curiosity
- 30. The Eightfold Path Thisgives you a starting point to understanding.
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