Chart #1 - A Summarized Overview of the Teachings, Path, and Practice  of Buddhism

Philosophy behind the path and practice of Buddhism

The path and practices of Buddhism

What we access and cultivate through the path and practices of Buddhism

What hinders progress in life and along the path and practice of Buddhism

The philosophy behind the teachings, path and practice of Buddhism states that the mind and consciousness is defiled by inherent mental/mind tendencies known as defilements.

The Pali terminology for this is “citta klesha”.

These defilements lead to pain, suffering and unskillful and unwholesome thoughts, feelings, words, actions and behaviors to ourselves and others.

Buddhism states that there are three of these of these defilements.

They are:

1.       Lust/greed

2.       Anger/aversion

3.    Delusion

These defilements and the various manifestations of them affect a person and vary from individual to individual and are influenced by other factors such as the current state of our ego as a result of our conditioning, how we perceive our life experiences and environment and what kinds of actions and behaviors we engage in.

Buddhism consists of a path of eight steps and mental and physical disciplines known as Ariya Antangikka Magga or The Noble Eightfold Path.

The understanding and application of The Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism weakens the unwholesome and unskillful (the defilements and hindrances) while accessing the wholesome and the skillful (The Factors of Enlightenment).

The Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism consists of

1.       Right Understanding

2.       Right Intention

3.       Right Speech

4.       Right Action

5.       Right Livelihood

6.       Right Effort

7.       Right Mindfulness

8.       Right Concentration

Through the practice of Buddhism and the comprehensive application of the eight steps of The Noble Eightfold Path of Buddhism individuals access and cultivate states of consciousness such as mindfulness, concentration, tranquility, equanimity, joy, energy and effort and an investigative nature.

Buddhism refers to these as being The Factors of Enlightenment.

These factors of enlightenment form the foundation for skillful, wholesome and healthy living, and enlightenment.

In the teachings of Buddhism there are five mental and physical states which hinder progress and success in the practice of Buddhism. They are:

1. Ill – will

2. Sensual desire

3. Restlessness and

    worry

4. Sloth and torpor

5. Doubt

These are known as hindrances, obstacles or impediments and stand in the way of  accessing, strengthening and cultivating The Factors of Enlightenment

Each one of the hindrances are rooted in the mental defilements that are listed in the first column of this chart.

Through the practice of The Noble Eightfold Path and mindfulness of and attention to other aspects and mental, physical and behavioral habits of our life we weaken these defilements and hindrances so we are more peaceful and concentrated.