Factorial Analysis of the Noble Eightfold Path

Right view (Right understanding)

  • understanding suffering
  • understanding its origin
  • understanding its cessation
  • understanding the way leading to its cessation

Right intention

  • intention of renunciation
  • intention of good will
  • intention of harmlessness

Right speech

  • abstaining from false speech
  • abstaining from slanderous speech
  • abstaining from harsh speech
  • abstaining from idle chatter

Right action

  • abstaining from taking life
  • abstaining from stealing
  • abstaining from sexual misconduct

Right livelihood

  • abandon wrong livelihood
  • earn one’s living by a right form of livelihood

Right effort

  • the effort to restrain unwholesome states of mind from arising
  • the effort to abandon unwholesome states that have arisen
  • the effort to give rise to wholesome states (Brahma-viharas)
  • the effort to sustain wholesome states

Right mindfulness

  • mindful contemplation of the body
  • mindful contemplation of feelings/sensations
  • mindful contemplation of the mind/mental objects
  • mindful contemplation of phenomena (dhammas)

Right concentration (Keeping the mind on the object of meditation)

  • the first jhana (Delight)
  • the second jhana (Joy)
  • the third jhana (Peace)
  • the fourth jhana (Equanimity)