The Eightfold Path (astàngikamarga in Sanskrit) is one of the main foundations of the teachings of Buddhism. The enlightened Buddha proclaimed it already in the first sermon on the Wheel of the Law, explaining the path to ending suffering and to self-awakening. This path is also called noble, but also median, since it lies in the middle between two extreme Buddhist doctrines in relation to passions tormenting the soul and leading to suffering: their complete indulgence and extreme asceticism, leading to self-torture and mortification of the flesh.
The path that Buddha Gautama proclaimed consists in a gradual departure from the "three roots of vice" (malice, ignorance and thirst) and a gradual approach to insight into the true reality of all things and, thus, to liberation and enlightenment, that is, true Salvation.
In Buddhist symbolism, the octal path is often depicted as a wheel with eight spokes, each of which means one of its elements. At the same time, this path is the last of four truths called noble.
What do these eight spoke elements mean by which the path proclaimed by the Buddha is called octal?
This is, firstly, correct views, that is, knowledge of the four noble truths.
Secondly, the right intentions, that is, a true desire to follow them.
Thirdly, correct speech.
Next on the list are such actions that are also called correct in Buddhism: correct actions, lifestyle, efforts and efforts, comprehension and concentration.
You can divide the octal path into three main components that lead the human being to salvation in steps: a culture of behavior, a culture of meditation and a culture of wisdom.
The culture of behavior includes the right thoughts, words and actions. They constitute the basic commandments of Buddhism for believers - a certain analogue of the Christian decalogue: do not kill, do not take what is not yours, do not tell lies, do not commit adultery, do not “get drunk” with pride, and also contains a list of true virtues: generosity, humility, good manners, purifications and others.
If you follow only the right culture of behavior, this will only lead to temporary relief of karma, but will not free from samsara (the cycle of rebirth).
The culture of meditation includes a true awareness of the world and oneself, a complete concentration of thoughts. In fact, this is a system of special exercises with which you can achieve inner peace, distance yourself from the bustle of the world and curb your passions.
But without a culture of behavior and a culture of wisdom, a culture of meditation will turn into just gymnastics, which can only improve the well-being of the body.
The culture of wisdom is the right views and intentions, knowledge about the noble truths of Buddhism.
But, as they say, the road will be overpowered by the one who is walking, and therefore, just right knowledge is not enough to be at the end of the path of Salvation. Breaking the chain of samsara and attaining nirvana, that is, complete liberation from samsara and true enlightenment, is possible only when you fully follow all the elements of the octal path. Having walked along this ancient path, which is not in vain still called the “true path”, one can achieve enlightenment and become a buddha himself, without any outside help.
This is how the Gautama Buddha describes this path of salvation — the eightfold path: “And I saw the ancient path along which the truly self-awakened of ancient times followed ... And when I walked this path, I realized the true knowledge of aging and death (that is, suffering), the true knowledge of the origin of aging and death (that is, desire), true knowledge about the cessation of aging and death (that is, giving up desire) and true knowledge of the path that leads to the cessation of aging and death (that is, the path to nirvana) ... Having received this true knowledge I opened it and for now Hall this way to monks, nuns and secular people ... ".