The Eightfold Path Leads The Dhamma Followers to Eradicate Suffering

Dr. Ven. Dodamgoda Sumanasara Thero
University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

After attaining Enlightenment, the Buddha spent seven weeks (forty-nine days) at the vicinity of the Bodhi Tree in Buddha Gaya, India. Afterwards, he approached on foot to the Ajapala Banyan Tree and reflected there to whom he should first deliver the Dhamma which he had realized under the Bodhi Tree on Vesak Full Moon Day.

Though he thought of his former teachers such as ascetics Alara Kalama and Uddakaramaputta, he came to know that they had already passed away. After that, the Buddha considered about the five ascetics namely, Kondanna, Vappa, Bhaddiya, Mahanama, and Assaji. Then he saw that they were staying together at Isipatana, Banaras. Out of great compassion, the Buddha reached the Isipatana deer park and delivered his first Dhamma discourse (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) to the five ascetics. After listening to this first Dhamma discourse, first, the young ascetic Kondanna attained Arahanthhood and his fellow ascetics gradually attained the final stage of sainthood, Arahatship.

This first Dhamma discourse was delivered by the Buddha on the Esala Full Moon Poya Day, at Isipatana deer park. The Pali word “Dhammacakka” means “The Kingdom of Truth”, “The Wheel of Truth”, and “The Kingdom of Righteousness”. As commentators state “Dhamma” means ‘Wisdom’ or ‘Knowledge’ and “Cakka” means ‘founding’ or ‘establishment’. Similar to this meaning “Dhamma and Cakka’’ may also be interpreted as ‘Truth and Wheel’. Accordingly, the meaning of “Dhammacakkappavattana’ is ‘The Exposition of The Establishment of Wisdom’.

As mentioned in the Dhammacakkappavattanasutta, the Dhamma followers should not follow two extremes (anta) such as self-indulgence (kamasukhallikanuyogaya) and self-mortification (attakilamathanuyogaya). Because this self-indulgence leads people to attach to sensual pleasures. So, the Buddha preaches not to bound with these sensual pleasures as they are base, common, vulgar, unholy, and profitless. Also, the other end of self-mortification is painful, unholy, profitless, and useless. Finally, it causes only an increase in suffering and pain as well as makes people weak mentally and physically. So, both these ends do not lead the Dhamma followers to get rid of suffering in this existence. Further, he states that someone who follows the two extremes may encounter unhappiness and may not be able to get rid of feelings and suffering in the mundane life.

As the Buddha expounds in the sutta, the Middle Path (majjhima patipada) is the most important and the only way to gain wisdom and knowledge on the reality of life. Also, the Noble Eightfold Path (ariyo atthangiko maggo) shows the right way to the Dhamma followers to liberate themselves from all suffering and secession of sorrow and unhappiness in worldly life. As well as it may lead the Dhamma followers to purify their minds from all defilements. Eventually, doing meditation the disciples of the Buddha may be able to concentrate their minds to attain the stages of the first, second, third, and fourth sainthood and finally Arahanthship. Therefore, each and every Buddhist should follow the following Eightfold Path to obtain eternal happiness, namely,

1. Right view (Samma ditthi)

2. Right thought (Samma sankappa)

3. Right speech (Samma vaca)

4. Right action (Samma kammanta)

5. Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)

6. Right effort (Samma vayama)

7. Right mindfulness (Samma sati)

8. Right concentration (Samma samadhi)

Wisely and correctly understanding those limitless sorrow and suffering in this samsaric life, the Dhamma followers should practice and follow the Middle Path continuously to eradicate all defilements in the mind to gain emancipation without approaching the two extremes.

May all you be well and happy!