
What the Buddha Taught

This Middle Path is generally referred to as the Noble Eightfold Path (Arija-Aṭṭhaṇgika-Magga), because it is composed of eight categories or divisions: namely, 1. Right Understanding (Sammā diṭṭhi), 2. Right Thought (Sammā saṇkappa), 3. Right Speech (Sammāv ācā), 4. Right Action (Sammākammanta), 5. Right Livelihood (Sammā ājīva), 6. Right Effort (
... See moreWalpola Rahula • What the Buddha Taught
Will, volition, desire, thirst to exist, to continue, to become more and more, is a tremendous force that moves whole lives, whole existences, that even moves the whole world. This is the greatest force, the greatest energy in the world.
Walpola Rahula • What the Buddha Taught
ignorant people get stuck in words like an elephant in the
Walpola Rahula • What the Buddha Taught
‘Mere suffering exists, but no sufferer is found; The deeds are, but no doer is
Walpola Rahula • What the Buddha Taught
There is no unmoving mover behind the movement. It is only movement. It is not correct to say that life is moving, but life is movement itself. Life and movement are not two different things. In other words, there is no thinker behind the thought. Thought itself is the thinker.
Walpola Rahula • What the Buddha Taught
Right speech means abstention (1) from telling lies, (2) from backbiting and slander and talk that may bring about hatred, enmity, disunity and disharmony among individuals or groups of people, (3) from harsh, rude, impolite, malicious and abusive language, and (4) from idle, useless and foolish babble and gossip. When one abstains from these forms
... See moreWalpola Rahula • What the Buddha Taught
The term ‘justice’ is ambiguous and dangerous, and in its name more harm than good is done to humanity.
Walpola Rahula • What the Buddha Taught
The Buddha was not only a human being; he claimed no inspiration from any god or external power either. He attributed all his realization, attainments and achievements to human endeavour and human intelligence.
Walpola Rahula • What the Buddha Taught
The Buddha says: ‘O bhikkhus, this cycle of continuity (saṃsāra) is without a visible end, and the first beginning of beings wandering and running round, enveloped in ignorance (avijjā) and bound down by the fetters of thirst (desire, taṇhā) is not to be perceived.