The Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path

by Sangharakshita

The Noble Eightfold Path—the Buddha’s first teaching—is a timeless truth. One starts with a vision, a moment of insight, then transformation of thoughts, and follows in the light of that truth. This teaching is explored in relation to every aspect of life and is a treasury of wisdom and practical guidance. The reader is taken deeper than in most introductions, while always remaining practical, inspiring, and accessible. This is the first in a new series, Buddhist Wisdom for Today. Sangharakshita is a leading Western Buddhist teacher and a popular author of more than thirty books on Buddhism.

Genres: Buddhism, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion, Audiobook, Self Help

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2006

About the author

Sangharakshita was born Dennis Lingwood in South London, in 1925. Largely self-educated, he developed an interest in the cultures and philosophies of the East early on, and realized that he was a Buddhist at the age of sixteen.

The Second World War took him, as a conscript, to India, where he stayed on to become the Buddhist monk Sangharakshita. After studying for some years under leading teachers from the major Buddhist traditions, he went on to teach and write extensively. He also played a key part in the revival of Buddhism in India, particularly through his work among followers of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

After twenty years in the East, he returned to England to establish the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order in 1967, and the Western Buddhist Order in 1968 (now known as the Triratna Buddhist Community and the Triratna Buddhist Order respectively).

Sangharakshita has always particularly emphasized the decisive significance of commitment in the spiritual life, the paramount value of spiritual friendship and community, the link between religion and art, and the need for a ‘new society’ supportive of spiritual aspirations and ideas.

In recent years Sangharakshita has been handing on most of his responsibilities to his senior disciples in the Order. Based at the Adhisthana retreat centre in Herefordshire UK, he is now focusing on personal contact with people. For more, go to www.sangharakshita.org.

A collection of 27 volumes will represent the definitive edition of his life’s work as a Buddhist writer and teacher. Find out more about The Complete Works of Sangharakshita

A series of talks by Sangharakshita: ‘Launch of The Essential Sangharakshita and Living Ethically’.

Reviews

[Kamakana]

if you like this review, i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com

??? 2019s?: this is the best commentary i have read on the eightfold path.

241122: six years later I read this book again, now somewhat more educated in philosophy, certainly in buddhism, and must concur with my original judgement, if you want an open, direct, exploration of the Way, this might require some familiarity with terms, concepts, metaphysics, but as these have since seeped into my reading from somewhere... I have little difficulty following it...

from the epigraph attributed to Einstein, through brief bio of author, he begins to lay out each 'stage' of the Path, in familiar order I often get confused on, using 'perfect' rather than 'right', slight alterations of translations eg. 'vision' than 'views': perfect vision, perfect thought, perfect speech, perfect action, perfect livelihood, perfect effort, perfect awareness, perfect samadhi (multiple translations...) the author knows his interpretations of buddhism, is not biased, is clear, is concise, is how I first learned buddhism, such that now it is so embedded I cannot remember not knowing anatman, karma, and so on...

one point I remember from somewhere is that we should not think of the Path as linear, linked passages, but more like limbs of body or fingers of hand: all appearing separate at first, all ultimately connected...

if you want more: Wisdom Beyond Words: The Buddhist Vision of Ultimate Reality
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment
more technical:
The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way: Nāgārjuna's Mūlamadhyamakakārikā
more:
Innovative Buddhist Women: Swimming Against the Stream
Women in the Footsteps of the Buddha: Struggle for Liberation in the Therigatha
Gender Equality in Buddhism
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment
Buddhism: A Philosophical Approach
What the Buddha Thought
Nietzsche and Buddhist Philosophy
Buddhist Philosophy: A Historical Analysis
Buddhism as Philosophy: An Introduction
Ethics Embodied: Rethinking Selfhood Through Continental, Japanese, and Feminist Philosophies
After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age
What the Buddha Thought
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment
Buddhist Philosophy: Essential Readings
Buddhism as Philosophy: An Introduction
Self, No Self?: Perspectives from Analytical, Phenomenological, and Indian Traditions
After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age
Philosophers of Nothingness: An Essay on the Kyoto School
The Kyoto School
Nishida And Western Philosophy
Buddhism: A Philosophical Approach
What the Buddha Thought
Wisdom Beyond Words: The Buddhist Vision of Ultimate Reality
Buddhism as Philosophy: An Introduction
An Introduction to Buddhist Philosophy
Why I Am Not a Buddhist
Why I Am a Buddhist: No-Nonsense Buddhism with Red Meat and Whiskey
Indian Buddhist Philosophy: Metaphysics as Ethics
The Vimalakirti Sutra:

[Mona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed the 5 CD audio book from the library and listened twice through while driving. It came time to renew which I did. Then I realized that I wanted to own my own set because every time I listen I feel like I've learned something and feel better for it. The British narrator is delightful. The Buddhist words roll off his tongue, but I don't have to try and memorize them because he explains everything so well with wonderful examples. What is also interesting to me is coming to understand some subtleties of recent travel experiences in Bhutan, India and Burma. I've wanted to know more about Buddhism, but it all felt complex and too much effort. This audio set has become my "Understanding Buddhism without Giving Up" book.

[Enya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content of the book is good, but I couldn't help but be struck with the irony at many points that a man who has been accused of sexual misconduct towards his students numerous times is lecturing readers about compassion, mindfulness, the importance of ethics (right speech, right action, right livelihood, right mindfulness, right effort, right concentration, right understanding and right intention) and the importance of the sangha as a community to shape Buddhist practice. This stuff is why I'm still skeptical to join Buddhist communities. I believe wholeheartedly in the tenets of Buddhism, but I have my doubts about whether religious communities, including Buddhist ones, can ever be truly free of abuse.

[Olov Redmalm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great summary, if only a bit dry. Some of the messages in this summary of the eightfold path could've sunk in better if presented with some humour and softness. But, can't argue with the source material.

[Kurt Gielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long time "student" of Buddhism, it is great to have come across this book on my path. This books takes you from a student of Buddhism to a Buddhist. This book shows you the practical side of being a Buddhist, taking you away from hours and days and weeks and months and years of studying the theory of Buddhism. While at the same time showing you how the two are interwoven.
Buddhism is for the active and that is a fantastic thing to know. Especially since being active could be as simple as making the perfect aware cup of tea.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

A no-fluff guide to the 8-fold path, a little dry and I lost focus in parts, but it's not trying to be an entertainment book, it's more like a text book, setting out the path in a clear way so even laymen like me can follow it. Recommended.

[Reiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this audio book! It was inspirational, helpful and gave a great overview of what buddhism can mean for people today in modern times as well as throughout our history.

[Andrea Dossi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is quite inconsistent in its depiction of buddhist doctrine.

First of all, it says that the eight parts of the path are not to be intended as "successive steps", but then the "steps" are always called "steps" and are explained as "successive steps". It says it is not so important the doctrine itself, and then is only talking about doctrine, often detached by daily life. And that leads to a visible chasm between the "it is" and the "it should be". That is not relly "buddhist".

Secondly, I find personally annoying that it refers always to "Buddhism". The notion of "buddhism" is a very western concept, while buddhist masters usually refer to it as "Buddha's teachings" or "dharma".

Third: it's hard to read nowadays the derogative expression "Hinayana" instead of the term "Theravada".

I suggest Thich Nhat Hanh "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" for a more wholesome and effective illustration of the Dharma

[Daniel Silveyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful account of the basic tenets of Buddhism, told by an erudite, fair-minded and compassionate man.

The prose is studiously simple and clear - I think Sangharakshita knows that some subtleties just cannot be brought out in text, and so he does not attempt it. He also makes a point to discuss different Buddhist schools' perspectives on particular teachings in an even-handed manner; I always appreciate getting a sense of the scholarly discussion on a topic.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who's interested in learning something concrete about Buddhist philosophy.

[Angel Shrestha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the books starts off seeming jumbled up and crammed with information, continue reading and soak up the wisdom presented in the most systematic form with perfect samadhi/enlightenment as the ultimate goal.

This book can be titled “Buddhism in a nutshell” ... not the Buddhism with theories and concepts but one that shows a way towards a better self.

This is not just a book to be read but is to be lived.

[Vincent Andersen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is NOT a review of Buddhism or the Eightfold Path, but of this book....the author came across to me as smug and arrogant. There are certainly some very thought provoking passages, but overall not a good introduction to the search for enlightenment.
A little research shows the author was involved in multiple sex abuse scandals with young students. Sad....

[Kevin Mullaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic introduction to not only the Noble Eighfold Path, but also to Buddhism in general. Sangharakshita penetrates into the spirit of the teaching rather than a dry, formulaic survey of a teaching of the Thervada school.

[Magnus Lidbom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new, for me, perspective upon the eightfold path that is both thought provoking and very profound. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to deepen or broaden their understanding of the fundamental teachings of buddhism.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, concise and engaging.

[D R Gotts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

As usual Sangarakshita explains everything so well In his own style.
He is so sadly missed by the world as a whole.

[Vladimiro Sousa · Rating 3 out of 5]

it gives you a nice perspective of this topic and how knowledge is organized about this subject. it kind of open my appetite for more information.

[Mark McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great summary of basic Buddhist principles

[Juan Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read books on spiritual growth and I note that I read a lot but I have not learned anything, I feel I have no progress ...

An example of a book that I've made feel very "small": "The Noble Eightfold Path of the Buddha" of Urgyen Sangharakshita.

The path consists of:

Having the right vision or thought: not just mean from the rational point of view, but perceive reality as it is.
Having the right emotion are useless understand something, if you do not feel the way to go.
Having the right speech: Say what you must say truthfully and in order to help, not harm others.
Having the right act: do what you have to do, any discrepancy leads to not advance the goal.
Having the right livelihood: of course there are things you should not do, and I think they are obvious, but the important thing is to do what fill you and make you progress on the spiritual path.
Make the right effort: regards from the psychological point of view go in full (mind, body and soul) in the sense of what you want.
Mindfulness: to be present truth in what you do, both in regard to things yourself and people.
Samadhi: it means to enlightenment through meditation and follow the correct all of the above.

Buddhism is not a religion of rules, it is a religion espiritural personal growth and community.

If I could follow what the book teaches, safe reach enlightenment ...

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing. I remember being drawn to Buddhism a bit when I was a teenager but somehow along the way Taoism eclipsed it. I thought that Buddhism was too complex or too dour or something. (Maybe it was after I read "The Tao of Pooh" and fell in love with Taoism's free spirited formlessness.)

So I listened to this book as an Audiobook and it was amazing. It's like the ultimate self-help book.

The only reason I'm not giving it a '5' is because he gets a bit "in the weeds" with the sanskrit at times. He also becomes too exact in some of his explanations of the "five ways" of doing step 4 on the path, for example. Often it was helpful...occasionally it was not.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great audio book! I admit I am only really interested in this from a philosophical context and interest in world religions in general, but this brought me to a clear understanding of the concepts covered. One value I see in Buddhism to the modern world is that it can help people deal with suffering in a positive way and help one to find peace in this world whatever their circumstances, without having to wait for an afterlife that may or may not be real according to individual beliefs.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having attended a Buddhist class on the subject of the Noble Eightfold Path, I wanted some material to go through, to clarify the different sections of 'the path'. This book was very helpful and gave a nice insight into the different aspects of the subject. I would definitely recommend the book, particularly to anyone who is involved with the Triratna section of Buddhism.

[Levi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enlightening, anyone with an interest in Buddhism should read this book. It's interesting how such ancient wisdom is still directly applicable to the human condition even thousands of years later. And fortunately nothing at all supernatural need be supposed to understand it.

[Maria Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it to be a very good basic and clear description of expressions that are not always easy to understand. The Buddhadarma is a very appealing way to approach life and develop your appreciation for all good things

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of the Eightfold Path but I found the writing style a bit stodgy. The style it was written in hasn't dated well.

[John]

nonfiction,philosophy,Buddhism