he "Eightfold Path". In His first sermon to the five ascetics in the Deer Park near Varanasi, the Buddha spoke of the Four Noble Truths. The Four Noble Truths summed up, in a systematic formula, are the central teaching of the Buddha and can be summarized by saying, life is suffering (dukkha), the cause of suffering is desire (tanha) the way to end suffering is to overcome desire, and to overcome desire one must follow the "Eightfold Path". Buddha taught that man is a slave to his ego. That man wishes happiness, security, success, long life, and many other things for himself and his loved ones. However, pain, frustration, sickness and death are all impossible to avoid and the only way to eliminate these evils is to overcome desire. The "Eight Fold Path" is a little more difficult to summarize it begins with, "Right to Knowledge", which means basically the four noble truths. "Right Aims" in next, one must resolve in order to make progress towards salvation. "Right Speech", our speech reflects our character. We must avoid speaking falsely, obscene, slanderous, and belittling words. "Right Conduct", you must follow the five constitutes at the core of Buddhism's moral code which are, no killing, no stealing, no lying, no committing indecent sexual acts or no consuming of intoxicants. "Right Livelihood", some jobs are condemned by Buddha such as slave dealer, butcher, prostitute, and traders of lethal weapons and substances. "Right Effort", one must have the will power to overcome obstacles. "Right Mindfulness", Buddhism says that what a person is, comes from what he thinks. By improving our thoughts we can become more virtuous. And the last is "Right Meditation" by this meaning the practice of the Raja Yoga. Since Buddhism emphasizes the desirability of self-removal from the problems involved with everyday life, Buddhism easily became a monastic religion. Within monasteries, everyone has the same goal, which is to attain Nirvana. The Enlig...
