Dr. Shakyamuni's Cure

THE EIGHTFOLD PATH

After diagnosing the problem in THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS, Shakyamuni outlined a practical eight point plan for his followers to overcome the stress and suffering in their lives.  This EIGHTFOLD PATH, explained in the Magga-VibhangaSutra, is another of Shakyamuni’s most famous early teachings. 

Just as a reminder, as Nichiren Buddhists it’s not essential to study these early teachings, and in “The Real Aspect of the Gohonzon”, Nichiren Daishonin writes:

"Since Nichiren’s disciples and lay supporters believe solely in the Lotus Sutra, honestly discarding expedient means and not accepting even a single verse of the other sutras exactly as the Lotus teaches, they can enter the treasure tower of the Gohonzon. How reassuring! ... What is most important is that, by chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo alone, you can attain Buddhahood." (WND-1, p832)

As we can see from this quote, it’s not necessary to study the teachings from the earlier periods, but they do give an insight into Shakyamuni’s wisdom and his ability to lead people towards a true understanding of the true nature of all phenomena.  With this in mind, rather than just listing the traditional interpretation of the EIGHTFOLD PATH below, I have also shown how this path might correlate to us as Votaries of the Lotus Sutra. 

 

	A GENERAL EXPLANATION	THE LOTUS SUTRA PERSPECTIVE
RIGHT VIEW	This is the fundamental way that we see the world around us and understanding of how the universe works.  This is affected by the depth of our belief in, and our understanding of, the Buddha’s teachings and has a profound effect on all other aspects of our daily life. From these early teachings, this view is the simplistic understanding of the four noble truths.	For a Nichiren Buddhist, this fundamental view is based on the depth of our belief in the profound and ultimate teaching of the Lotus Sutra, the true aspect of all phenomena and our complete faith in the power of “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo”.
RIGHT INTENTION,(RIGHT ATTITUDE & RIGHT THOUGHT)	RIGHT VIEW concerns our knowledge, wisdom and intellectual understanding of the Buddha’s teachings, but here we are thinking about how we can apply this knowledge in our daily life.  It is our commitment or promise to ourself to live our life in accordance with these teachings.  These thoughts then reveal themselves through our words and actions.	As a votary of the Lotus Sutra,  I try to live my life based on the INTENTION and ATTITUDE of this phrase from Chapter 16 of The Lotus Sutra: “At all times I think to myself.  How can I cause living beings to gain entry into the unsurpassed way and quickly acquire the body of a Buddha?”
RIGHT SPEECH	In addition to this 8 point plan, Shakyamuni also taught some basic rules for living, known as precepts, which would help people to say and do the right thing.  These would cover things such as not lying, not joining in with gossip or slander and speaking respectfully to others.	Within the context of the Lotus Sutra, in addition to the general “rules” of respect for others, embodied by Bodhisattva Never Disparaging, and avoiding deceit and slander, the most important aspect of RIGHT SPEECH is propagating Nichiren Buddhism, talking to people about the Mystic Law of the Lotus Sutra, and teaching others to chant “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo”
RIGHT ACTION	Turning to the precepts, we have a few rules for living which cover things such as treating the lives and possessions of others with respect,and  behaving kindly and compassionately.	As with SPEECH, our RIGHT VIEW and RIGHT INTENTION lead us to treat others and their belongings with respect.  But, as Votaries of the Lotus Sutra, it’s also essential that we make time to study and deepen our understanding of Nichiren Buddhism, help others to do the same and take action towards our shared goal of kosen-rufu.
RIGHT LIVELIHOOD	Traditionally, this “path” encourages us to earn a living responsibly and not engage in any career that could compromise the previous four RIGHTS.  i.e. we shouldn’t be involved in work that harms animals or puts the lives of others in danger.  Some early followers would avoid work concerned with the slaughtering of animals for food, selling “dangerous” substances such as alcohol and tobacco and become conscientious objectors if asked to enrol in the army.	Similar considerations should be given to any career we become involved in as Nichiren Buddhists, and whatever career we chose should match with our RIGHT VIEW and RIGHT INTENTION.  President Toda, the second Soka Gakkai president, used to say that “Everyone’s ideal is to get a job they like, that offers financial security and where they can contribute to society.”
RIGHT EFFORT	In the Magga-Vibhanga Sutra, right effort has four parts.  (1) To make efforts to prevent “evil, unskillful qualities that have not yet arisen”.  (2) To make efforts to abandon “evil, unskillful qualities that have risen”.  (3) To bring out “skillful qualities that have not yet arisen” (4) To maintain, increase and develop “skillful qualities that have arisen”	As Nichiren Buddhists, we chant to bring forth our innate buddhahood and corresponding buddha wisdom.  The main focus of our lives is (1) To make efforts to “free ourselves from the sufferings of birth and death ... and to attain without fail unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime.”  (2) To make efforts to talk to others and encourage them to  attain unsurpassed enlightenment in this lifetime.”
RIGHT MINDFULNESS	As we live our daily lives, we may not always be 100% aware of what we are saying and doing, which can affect the clarity of our practice.  RIGHT MINDFULNESS is the first of the “higher” paths and involves actively “seeing” ourselves and our behaviour in light of our faith.  In terms of the early teachings it is about being aware of your body, your feelings, your thoughts and yourself and seeing with clarity the truth of the Buddha’s teaching.	We study, and reflect on our attitude and behaviour and how it relates to the eternity of life, the Mystic Law of cause and effect and the true nature of all phenomena.  Through chanting and continual self-improvement, we can make greater efforts in our daily practice and efforts to propagate Nichiren Buddhism, so that we strengthen our faith and never begrudge our lives.
RIGHT CONCENTRATION (or MEDITATION)	In many ways this is the heart and soul of the Buddha’s teachings and the practice, and according to the earlier teachings, meditation can be a silent focused concentration on a single object or thought to achieve a pure state of mind, or the repetition of the name of a third-person Buddha from a teaching to bring out those characteristics in the practitioner.	“What is most important is that, by chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo alone, you can attain Buddhahood.”  (WND-1, p832) Chanting “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo” brings forth Buddhahood from within our lives and gives us the wisdom to deal with any obstacle we may be facing from a win-win perspective.  Chanting also allows us to strengthen our faith and enhances all of the other seven “paths”.

The FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS and the EIGHTFOLD PATH were intended to help lead people of learning towards an understanding of suffering and encourage them to live their lives in harmony with the universe, but Shakyamuni knew this might be quite challenging for general followers or lay people.  For them he came up with five basic rules to live their lives by - the FIVE PRECEPTS ...