Download The picture above shows the Eightfold Path as a wheel. This is to

Please note that the word ‘right’ in
this Buddhist context does not mean
the opposite of wrong or ‘bad.
‘Right’ means ‘that which leads to
freedom from suffering
The picture above shows the Eightfold Path as a wheel. This is to show that all of the aspects work
together. One is no more important than any other.
The world ‘right’ is sometimes substituted for ‘wise’. The Buddha did not prescribe a set of laws or
rules which must be followed if you are to be a ‘good Buddhist’. These are simply guidelines that
help a person to find the Middle Way through life. It helps to avoid extremes, to overcome suffering,
and is sometimes called ‘the path to Enlightenment’. It is the Fourth Noble Truth.
For each of the spoke of the wheel there is an explanation to help you to understand what it means.
Match the explanation to the spoke in the space below.
1. We need to speak in ways that are beneficial and not harmful. Our words need to be
truthful, kind and appropriate.
2. Training the mind to be able to sustain attention on a single thing such as the breath,
sensations of the body, or the flow of feelings or thoughts.
3. Especially associated with mental training/meditation, this means committing the mind and
body to the following of a wise intention.
4. Seeing things and people (including ourselves) clearly as they actually are, rather than as we
fear or wish them to be. It is a true and realistic perspective on life. This will be in accordance
with anicca, anatta and dukkha.
5. Our work and our way of life need to be beneficial and not harmful. This rules out certain
jobs such as butcher, working in the armed forces or arms dealer.
6. This means cultivating presence of mind about what we are experiencing (thoughts, feelings,
sensations). It means being present and aware of what is here now. This is the foundation of
all aspects of the Eightfold Path and Buddhist way of life.
7. It is one thing to see things clearly, as they actually are rather, but we also need to see how
we should act and respond to circumstances, people, events and things with wisdom. It
means setting up the intention to bring about skilful, or positive (remember positive karma)
results through our actions, our speech and out thoughts.
8. Our actions need to be beneficial, not harmful. They need to be truthful, kind and
appropriate.