Path to the cessation of suffering (magga)
In the fourth truth the BuddhaThe founder of Buddhism, Siddhartha Gautama, after his enlightenment. It is a title which means the enlightened or awakened one. taught that the way to get rid of the desire that causes suffering is to free yourself from being attached to it. The Eightfold Path is a set of guidelines for Buddhists to live by that should lead to the end of suffering.
Each step of the Eightfold Path is carried out at the same time, as opposed to step by step. The eight steps are:
- Right Understanding
- Right Intention
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Concentration
Many Buddhists believe that following the Eightfold Path will help them to reach enlightenmentThe realisation of the truth about life. In Buddhism it releases a person from the cycle of rebirth.. This will end the cycle of suffering.
Many Buddhists also believe in karmaActions, and the consequences of actions. An important concept in Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. or 'intentional action'. They try to perform good actions, eg based in generosity and compassion. They avoid performing bad actions, eg based on greed and hatred.
The belief is that actions also determine where they will be reborn in the next life. Good actions with good intentions can mean being born as a human. Bad actions with bad intentions can mean rebirth as an animal, or into a hell realm.
It is important to Buddhists that they try to relieve the suffering of others during their lifetime so that they will be rewarded in their next life.
