Eightfold Path, Eightfold Way: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Eightfold Path means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Dhamma Study: Introduction to the DhammaThe Eightfold Path which is the way leading to the end of suffering is these eight factors:
- Right understanding,
- Right Thoughts,
- Right Speech,
- Right Action,
- Right livelihood,
- Right Effort,
- Right Mindfulness,
- Right Concentration.
It could be pointed out that the Eightfold Path is often taught as a "path" which one follows by developing each of the factors piece by piece until there are all perfected. In the Abhidhamma it is made clear that the Eightfold Path is in fact only momentary phenomena like everything else.
The Eightfold Path is not a "whole path" which one follows, but at the moment that a wholesome moment of wisdom (the wisdom that understands the true nature of things) arises then it is accompanied by the Eightfold Path factors as mental factors (cetasikas).
Source: Dhamma Study: CetasikasThe factors of the eightfold Path are:
- right understanding
- right thinking
- right speech
- right action
- right livelihood
- right effort
- right mindfulness
- right concentration
s. magga.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraThere are also eightfold paths:
1) noble eightfold path (āryāṣṭāṅgamārga);
2) paths of the eight liberations (vimokṣa).
There are innumerable eightfold paths of this kind.

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Buddhist Door: GlossaryThe eight right ways for the Arhat leading to Nirvana. The eight are:
- Right View;
- Right Thought;
- Right Speech;
- Right Action;
- Right Livelihood;
- Right Effort;
- Right Remembrance;
- Right Concentration.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Path, Way, Te.
Full-text (+162): Samma Sankappa, Noble Eightfold Path, Atthakavaravannana, Atthangika-Magga, Atta Sutta, Aryasatya, Four noble truths, Atthavatthuka, Samma Ditthi, Samyakkarmanta, Rahulavatthukathavannana, Pancanantariyakammapatti, Aryashtangamarga, Atthakasalaparivena, Atthisiracammamattasarira, Matikatthakathanusara, Rathavinitasuttavannana, Amaravikkhepavadavannana, Dukanipatavannana, Dasamagga Sutta.
Relevant text
Search found 129 books and stories containing Eightfold Path, Eightfold paths, Eightfold way, The eightfold path; (plurals include: Eightfold Paths, Eightfold pathses, Eightfold waies, The eightfold paths). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Samkhya elements in the Bhagavata-purana (by Jumli Nath)
Part 5 - Similarities and Dissimilarities on the concept of Liberation < [Chapter 5 - Sāṃkhya and the Bhāgavata-purāṇa: Comparative note]
Part 2.4 - Means of liberation: the Yogic path < [Chapter 4b - Liberation as reflected in the Bhāgavatapurāṇa]
Buddhist Perspective on the Development of Social Welfare (by Ashin Indacara)
4. Significance of Good Friend < [Chapter 2 - The Accomplishment of Good Friendship (Kalyāṇa-mittatā)]
3. Definitions and Interpretations of Virtue < [Chapter 5 - The Accomplishment of Virtue and Wisdom]
12. The Purpose of Making Material Developed < [Chapter 3 - The Accomplishment of Balanced Livelihood (Sama-jīvitā or Jīvikatā)]
Mental Development in Daily Life (by Nina van Gorkom)
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
I. Knowledge of the paths < [VI. Acquiring the knowledges of the paths and the aspects of the paths]
1. The teaching of the Piṭaka < [Part 3 - The Prajñā and the teaching of the Dharma]
E.7. The Eight Members of the Path (āryāṣṭāṅgamārga) < [Abhidharma auxiliaries (E): Detailed study of the auxiliaries]
The Buddha – The Everlasting < [April – June, 2007]
Buddha in Bangkok < [July – September, 1994]
Siddhartha: Hermann Hesse’s ‘Prilgrim’s Progress’ < [October – December, 1998]
The Four Noble Truths (by Ajahn Sumedho)
Introduction < [Chapter 4 - The Fourth Noble Truth]
Part 9 - The Eightfold Path As A Reflective Teaching < [Chapter 4 - The Fourth Noble Truth]
Part 4 - Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, Right Concentration < [Chapter 4 - The Fourth Noble Truth]