Buddhism

The Noble Eightfold Path

Eight factors to train, gathered into wisdom, ethics, and discipline.

The fourth noble truth made practical. Eight factors, not steps to climb in a fixed order but facets to develop together, gathered into three trainings:

Wisdom (Pañña)

  • Right View, Right Intention.

Ethical conduct (Sīla)

  • Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood.

Mental discipline (Samādhi)

  • Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration.

The eight map closely onto Patanjali's eight limbs. Sīla echoes Yama and Niyama; Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration meet Dharana and Dhyana. Two maps of one terrain, drawn a few centuries apart.