EIGHTFOLD PATH:
the BUDDHIST exposition of the means by which a believer may gain
ENLIGHTENMENT. Although not found in the earliest Buddhist texts, it is generally accepted
as a basic tenant of BUDDHISM and usually consists of a three fold division between FAITH,
MORALITY and MEDITATION. It consists of: right understanding; right thought which refers
to FAITH; right speech; right bodily action; right livelihood which refer to MORALITY;
right effort; right mindfulness; and right concentration which refer to MEDITATION. It is
thus a systematic summary of Buddhist BELIEF which may be expanded into much longer
treaties.
