Table of ContentsChapter 1The Noble Eightfold Path by BuddhaAbout the authorAbout the workIdeas of Interest from The Noble Eightfold PathThe Reading Selection from The Eightfold PathThe Eightfold PathThe Eightfold PathFirst StepRight UnderstandingUnprofitable QuestionsThe Sotapan, or StreamEntererThe Two UnderstandingsComplete DeliverancePast, Present, and FutureDependent OriginationKarma: RebirthProducing and BarrenSecond Step: Right MindednessThird Step: Right SpeechFourth Step: Right ActionFifth Step: Right LivingSixth Step: Right EffortFive Methods of Expelling Evil ThoughtsSeventh Step: Right AttentivenessContemplation of the BodyThe Ten BlessingsContemplation of the FeelingsContemplation of the MindContemplation of Phenomena (Mindobjects)Nirvana Through Watching Over BreathingEighth Step: Right ConcentrationThe Four TrancesDevelopment of the Eightfold PathConfidence and RightMindedness (2nd Step)Morality (3rd, 4th, 5th Step)Control of the Senses (6th Step)Attentiveness and Clear Consciousness (7th Step)Absence of the Five HindrancesThe Trances (8th Step)Insight (1st Step)NirvanaThe Silent ThinkerThe True GoalTopics Worth InvestigatingIndexTable of Contents1. “The Noble Eightfold Path” by Buddha ........................................................1Ideas of Interest from “The Noble Eightfold Path”.......................................2The Reading Selection from “The Eightfold Path”.......................................3The Eightfold Path................................................................................ 3The Eightfold Path—First Step—Right Understanding.......................4Unprofitable Questions ................................................................4The Sotapan, or “Stream-Enterer”...............................................6The Two Understandings ............................................................. 7Complete Deliverance.................................................................. 8Past, Present, and Future............................................................10Dependent Origination............................................................... 11Karma: Rebirth—Producing and Barren ................................... 12Second Step: Right Mindedness......................................................... 13Third Step: Right Speech.................................................................... 13Fourth Step: Right Action...................................................................14Fifth Step: Right Living......................................................................16Sixth Step: Right Effort ......................................................................16Five Methods of Expelling Evil Thoughts................................. 17Seventh Step: Right Attentiveness......................................................18Contemplation of the Body........................................................ 19The Ten Blessings...................................................................... 21Contemplation of the Feelings...................................................22Contemplation of the Mind........................................................ 22Contemplation of Phenomena (Mind-objects)........................... 23Nirvana Through Watching Over Breathing..............................25Eighth Step: Right Concentration....................................................... 27The Four Trances .......................................................................28Development of the Eightfold Path—Confidence andRight-Mindedness (2nd Step)............................................29Morality (3rd, 4th, 5th Step) ...................................................... 29Control of the Senses (6th Step) ................................................30Attentiveness and Clear Consciousness (7th Step)....................30Absence of the Five Hindrances ................................................31The Trances (8th Step)............................................................... 31Insight (1st Step)........................................................................31Nirvana ......................................................................................31The Silent Thinker .....................................................................32The True Goal ............................................................................ 32Topics Worth Investigating.......................................................................... 34iIndex....................................................................................................................36ii Readings in Eastern Philosophy: An Open-Source TextChapter 1“The Noble Eightfold Path” byBuddhaBrahmin Reading, Caleb Wright, India and Its InhabitantsAbout the author...Attending the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago was a life-changing eventfor Paul Carus (1852-1919). Not only did Swami Vivekananda (whose paper onHinduism is in this text) present many talks at this congress, but also D. T. Suzuki(whose chapter on the ox-herding pictures is also here) translated a paper for theevent. Carus and Suzuki later worked together on the translation of the Tao teChing as well as several other works.1Chapter 1. “The Noble Eightfold Path” by BuddhaAbout the work...In his Buddha, The Word,1Paul Carus compiles the fundamental teachings of theBuddha: the four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and Buddha’s sermons andadvice to his disciples. In this reading, Buddha explains how nirvana can resultfrom the discipline of the Noble Eightfold Path. In his teachings, Buddha did notclaim divine authority, instead he emphasizes that each person should trust his ownexperience.From the reading...“It is the Noble Eightfold Path, the way that leads to the extinction of suf-fering...”Ideas of Interest from “The NobleEightfold Path”1. List and briefly describe the central characteristics of each of the steps of theEightfold Path.2. Explain the parable of the poisoned arrow. Do you think metaphysical ques-tions are worth pursuing? What harm does Buddha think attends metaphysicalquestioning?3. Why is the middle path described as “the perfect path”? Why do you think themiddle path is given this name?4. Explain the basis of self-illusion. Does the quest for happiness perpetuate self-illusion? Does Buddha believe the ego is annihilated at death?5. Who is the Sotapan? Describe the fetters from which the