We are learning today about the 8 fold path. These are 8 guidelines Buddhists use to live their lives.
Make sure your wheel has 8 sections.
Now copy one of these headings into each section.
Now add the following information into each section so you have a description of each guideline.
| ETHICS | MEDITATION | WISDOM |
|---|---|---|
| Right speech – Avoiding lies, gossip and negative speech. Speaking truthfully and kindly. | Right effort – Working to develop a positive state of mind, free from craving and hatred. | Right view – Learning and coming to understand the Buddha’s teachings (Dhamma). |
| Right action – Acting in a loving and peaceful way, avoiding conflict and harm, and showing restraint in seeking pleasures. | Right mindfulness – Develop mindful awareness of the body, the mind and the nature of reality. | Right intention – Being committed to develop the attitudes needed to learn from the Dhamma. |
| Right livelihood – Making a living in a way that does not cause harm to living creatures or exploit others, and also not selling harmful items. | Right concentration – Working towards a state of mental focus necessary for effective meditation. |
Can you choose 4 of these and add an example of how someone would do this in their life? You can imagine that you are a Buddhist to make this easier. For example for 'right speech' you might try to always be nice to others on Social media.
If you want to understand more, re-watch this video clip on the webpage below and see if you can tick each of the sections of the wheel when you spot them, for example we know he works in a vegetarian restaurant which would satisfy 'right livelihood'
Follow up task to be finished by the end of Monday's lesson. Can you describe one day in the life of a Buddhist to show how they might follow these guidelines in their daily life? You can chose to do this as a blog post, a cartoon or and interview with a Buddhist.