4. The Noble Truth of the Way to the Cessation of
Suffering
The Way leading to cessation contains a thorough and profound
training of body, speech, and mind. Traditionally it's outlined as
the Noble Eightfold Path:
(1) Right Understanding;
(2) Right Intention;
(3) Right Speech;
(4) Right Action;
(5) Right Livelihood;
(6) Right Effort;
(7) Right Mindfulness; and
(
Right Concentration.
On the level of morality (sila), the Path entails restraint and
care in speech, action, and livelihood. The concentration (samadhi)
level requires constant effort to abandon the unwholesome and
develop the wholesome, to increase mindfulness and clear
comprehension of the mind-body process, and to develop mental calm
and stability. The wisdom (panna) level entails the abandonment of
thoughts of sensuality, ill will, and cruelty; ultimately it
penetrates the true nature of phenomena to see impermanence,
unsatisfactoriness, and impersonality. When all 8 factors of the
Path come together in harmony to the point of maturity, suffering
is transcended. In summary, the Four Noble Truths can be thought of
as that which is to be
(1) comprehended, (2) abandoned, (3) realized, and (4)
developed.
With acknowledgements of dhammathai.org