1. -1- What the Buddha Taught
A series of lecture-discussions sponsored by
Oxford Soto Zen
Suggested by Les Kaye
Led by Jimmyle Listenbee
Based on What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula

2. -2- Lecture 6 Chapter 5-A (pp
-2- Lecture 6 Chapter 5-A (pp : The Four Noble Truths The 4th Noble Truth: MAGGA: “The Path”

3. -3- The Four Noble Truths
Dukkha
Samudaya, the arising or origin of dukkha
Nirodha, the cessation of dukkha
Magga, the way leading to the cessation of dukkha

4. -4- The 4th Noble Truth: The Way Leading to the Cessation of Dukkha AKA: “The Noble Eightfold Path” “The Middle Way”

5. -5- The Middle Path Avoids two extremes:
The search for happiness through the Pleasures of the Senses (“low, common, unprofitable, the way of ordinary [ignorant] people”)
The search for happiness through self-mortification (“painful, unworthy, unprofitable, the way of the ascetics”)

6. -6- The Noble Eightfold Path (a composite - not linear - list)
Right Understanding
Right Thought
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration

7. -7- Buddha’s Essential Practice Practical Guide for all Buddhist Practice
The 8 divisions of the path are not “stepping stones”, but are to be practiced and developed simultaneously, as far as possible, according to the capacity of the individual. They are all linked together, and each helps the cultivation of the others.

8. -8- The Three Essentials of Buddhist Training & Discipline
Ethical Conduct (Sila)
Mental Discipline (Samadhi)
Wisdom (Pañña)
The Eightfold Path aims at perfecting and promoting these.
The Eight Divisions of the Path can be grouped under these three headings.

9. -9- Three Headings Wisdom Ethical Conduct Mental Discipline
Right Understanding
Right Thought
Ethical Conduct
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Mental Discipline
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
--- We’ll start with Ethical Conduct

10. -10- Buddhist “Perfection”
There are two qualities to be developed:
Wisdom and Compassion
Read p. 46 “Here compassion represents love…inseparably linked together, as we shall see later.”

11. -11- Ethical Conduct [is] Based on Compassion
Right Speech = Abstention from
Lying
Backbiting, etc.
Harsh, malicious language, etc.
Idle gossip, etc.
Careless, thoughtless utterances
(p. 47)
DISCUSSION 32

12. -12- (3) Right Speech (Positive Qualities)
Speaking truth
Friendly, benevolent language
Pleasant, gentle words
Meaningful and useful information
(p. 47)
DISCUSSION 32

13. -13- (4) Right Action
Promotes moral, honorable, peaceful conduct – for self, and to help others to lead peaceful, honorable lives.
Abstain from:
Killing Dishonest Dealing
Stealing Illegitimate Sex
DISCUSSION

14. -14- (5) Right Livelihood
Abstain from making one’s living through a profession that brings harm to others
Such as:
Dealing in weapons, alcohol, drugs, poisons;
Otherwise bringing harm to living creatures.
One should live by a blameless profession.
DISCUSSION

15. -15- Individual & Society
Buddhist ethical and moral conduct aims to promote a happy, healthy, harmonious life for the individual & society.
Is strongly opposed to war [& to animal and environmental abuse].

16. -16- Ethical Conduct is the Foundation of Buddhist Practice
This moral conduct is considered as the indispensable foundation for all higher spiritual attainments. No spiritual development is possible without this moral basis.