Right Thought, Right Motivation: 8-fold Path

Right Intention and Right Aspiration on the Noble eightfold path of Buddha

Right Thought means the Right motivation, aspiration or intention for practicing Buddhism. The 2nd Pillar of the 8-fold path, it means having the purest and highest goals for one’s meditation: liberation from suffering of all beings, seeing genuine reality, and bringing forth purity and equality.

8-fold path series

8-fold Path of Buddha

PILLAR	SANSKRIT	MEANING
Noble Eightfold Path	ariya aṭṭhaṅgika magga
HINAYANA
Right View	samyak-saṃkalpa	Stance of not-self, karmic cause and effect
Right Motivation, Resolve, Aspiration	samyak-saṃkalpa	Desire to liberate oneself from suffering, not engage in the kleshas
Right Speech	samyag-vāc	No lying, gossiping, slander, or harsh words
Right Conduct	samyak-karmānta	Not killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, or avarice
Right Livelihood	samyag-ājīva	Not selling arms, intoxicants, people, or sexual acts
Right Effort	samyag-vyāyāma	Limiting desires for pleasure. Simplicity of life, maintaining wholesome outlook of mind.
Right Mindfulness	Satipatthana	Unflagging focus on cutting karmic actions and seeing not-self
Right Meditation	samyak-samādhi	Shamatha, or stable concentration leading to vipassana, insight into not-self
MAHAYANA
Right View	samyak-saṃkalpa	View of emptiness
Right Motivation	samyak-saṃkalpa	Liberation of all beings from suffering, compassion
Right Speech	samyag-vāc	Helpful speech, guiding beings to the dharma
Right Conduct	samyak-karmānta	Exchanging oneself for others
Right Livelihood	samyag-ājīva	Actively helping, never harming. Seeing the illusory nature of life.
Right Effort	samyag-vyāyāma	Unceasing effort for the benefit of beings
Right Mindfulness	Satipatthana	Bare attention on emptiness
Right Meditation	samyak-samādhi	Equipoise seeing emptiness directly
VAJRAYANA
Right View	samyak-saṃkalpa	All beings are enlightened, Buddha fields are all-pervasive
Right Motivation	samyak-saṃkalpa	Seeing all beings as Buddha
Right Speech	samyag-vāc	All sound is mantra
Right Conduct	samyak-karmānta	Luminous light emanating and gathering
Right Livelihood	samyag-ājīva	4 karmas of Buddha activity
Right Effort	samyag-vyāyāma	Maintaining samaya, non-effort
Right Mindfulness	Satipatthana	All phenomena are pure by nature
Right Meditation	samyak-samādhi	Deity, sugatagharba, mahamudra, trekcho, thogal

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right Thought in the 3 Yanas

Right thought or Right inspiration in Hinayana

This means longing to free oneself from Samsara. The main thrust is to renounce samsara as valueless and filled with suffering. Next, believing in the teachings of Buddha after examining them. Finally, using meditation to penetrate selflessness and establish oneself outside the cycle of rebirth.

Right Aspiration, Right Motivation in Mahayana

Right Thought in Mahayana means aiming for the liberation of all sentient beings from suffering. The Bodhisattva is the key Right Inspiration and the Right Intention is to travel the path of Wisdom and Meditation to attain Buddhahood.

Right Thought, Right Resolve in Vajrayana

Right Motivation in Vajrayana means seeing all beings as enlightened primordially. Sacredness is all-pervasive. The guru is both guide and destination. The 5 perfections are seen as reality:

Perfect teacher – enlightened manifestation of wisdom
Perfect retinue – all students are enlightened reflections of the guru mind
Perfect teachings – the highest dharma is mind transmitted from teacher to student
Perfect Place – All things occur in enlightened buddha fields
Perfect Time – the perfect time is the eternal 4th moment – the time beyond time

Right Thought: Illuminating the Mind with Wisdom

Right Thought, Right Intention, Right Motivation, Right Inspiration, 8-fold path of Buddhism

Right Thought (Samma Sankappa in Pali) plays the guiding role towards a life of wisdom, compassion, and liberation. Also known as Right Resolve or Right Motivation, this aspect of the path involves cultivating thoughts and perspectives that align with the fundamental truths of existence as elucidated by the Buddha.

Right Thought invites practitioners to develop a clear and accurate understanding of the nature of suffering (Dukkha), its origins, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation—the Four Noble Truths. This foundational understanding serves as the bedrock upon which the entire spiritual journey unfolds.

The essence of Right Thought lies in the discernment between wholesome and unwholesome thoughts. Unwholesome thoughts, rooted in greed, hatred, and delusion, perpetuate the cycle of suffering. On the other hand, wholesome thoughts, grounded in generosity, loving-kindness, and wisdom, pave the way for liberation. The practice of mindfulness and contemplation enables individuals to observe the arising and passing of thoughts, fostering a discerning awareness that distinguishes between the beneficial and the detrimental.

By cultivating Right Thought, individuals begin the process of transforming their mental landscape. It involves questioning conditioned beliefs, letting go of harmful attitudes, and opening the mind to the profound insights offered by the Buddha’s teachings. Right Thought is not a mere intellectual exercise; it is an experiential journey that unfolds through the continuous refinement of one’s understanding and the conscious redirection of mental energies towards the wholesome.

Right Motivation: Aligning the Heart with Compassion

Right Motivation, also known as Right Intention (Samma Sankappa in Pali), emerges as the natural progression from Right Thought. While Right Thought focuses on the cognitive aspect of understanding, Right Motivation delves into the emotional and volitional dimensions of human experience. It involves the alignment of one’s intentions and motivations with the principles of compassion, non-harm, and selflessness.

The foundation of Right Motivation lies in cultivating three primary aspects of intention:

Renunciation (Nekkhamma): The intention to let go of craving and worldly attachments. Renunciation involves developing a mindset that is not driven by insatiable desires but is content with simplicity and detachment.
Goodwill (Metta): The intention of loving-kindness and benevolence towards oneself and others. Goodwill transcends personal boundaries, fostering a compassionate attitude that extends to all beings, regardless of differences.
Harmlessness (Avihimsa): The intention of non-harm and non-violence. This involves a commitment to avoiding actions, speech, and thoughts that cause harm to oneself or others.

Right Motivation, therefore, serves as a moral compass, directing individuals towards ethical conduct and compassionate living. The cultivation of these wholesome intentions is not a rigid adherence to rules but a heartfelt aspiration to contribute positively to the well-being of oneself and the world.

The practice of Right Motivation involves a continuous inquiry into the motives behind one’s actions. By developing self-awareness and cultivating a compassionate heart, individuals can navigate the complexities of life with a genuine desire to alleviate suffering. Right Motivation is not a static state but a dynamic force that propels individuals towards ethical living, harmonious relationships, and a profound sense of interconnectedness with all beings.

Right Aspiration: Nurturing the Seeds of Spiritual Growth

Right Aspiration, or Right Resolve (Samma Vayama in Pali), is the third component of the path, emphasizing the determination and commitment needed for spiritual growth and transformation. While Right Thought sets the intellectual foundation and Right Motivation aligns the heart with compassion, Right Aspiration focuses on the volitional aspect—the unwavering determination to follow the path towards liberation.

Right Aspiration involves the nurturing of three specific aspirations:

The Aspiration for Renunciation: The commitment to letting go of worldly attachments and desires. This aspiration acknowledges the impermanence and unsatisfactoriness inherent in sensual pleasures and material possessions.
The Aspiration for Goodwill and Harmlessness: The dedication to cultivating love, compassion, and non-violence. This aspiration recognizes the interconnectedness of all beings and the transformative power of a heart imbued with kindness.
The Aspiration for Non-harming through Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood: The resolve to engage in ethical conduct in all aspects of life. This aspiration involves aligning one’s speech, actions, and livelihood with the principles of non-harm and virtue.

Right Aspiration is not a passive wish but an active commitment to embody the principles of the Noble Eightfold Path in daily life. It requires a sincere dedication to self-transformation and a recognition of the potential for growth and awakening inherent in every moment.

By nurturing Right Aspiration, individuals strengthen their resolve to overcome challenges on the path and remain steadfast in the face of obstacles. It serves as a source of inspiration and motivation, fueling the journey towards self-discovery and liberation. Right Aspiration, therefore, acts as a driving force that propels individuals forward, transforming the theoretical understanding of the path into a lived reality.

Right Intention

Right Intention, also known as Right Resolve (Samma Sankappa in Pali), forms the fourth category of the Noble Eightfold Path. While Right Thought encompasses the understanding of wholesome and unwholesome mental states, and Right Motivation aligns the heart with compassion, Right Intention bridges the gap between thought and action. It involves the commitment to ethical conduct and the skillful use of one’s intentions to bring about positive outcomes.

Right Intention encompasses three key aspects:

The Intention of Renunciation: This involves the commitment to let go of craving and attachments, recognizing the ephemeral nature of worldly pleasures. The intention of renunciation is rooted in the understanding that true happiness is not found in the pursuit of transient pleasures but in the liberation from the cycle of craving.
The Intention of Goodwill and Harmlessness: This involves the commitment to cultivating love, compassion, and non-violence in thought, speech, and action. The intention of goodwill extends beyond personal relationships to encompass all beings, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and empathy.
The Intention of Harmlessness in Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood: This involves the commitment to engage in actions that do not cause harm to oneself or others. Right Intention guides individuals in aligning their daily activities with ethical principles, ensuring that their livelihood and actions contribute to the well-being of all.

Right Intention is not a rigid adherence to rules but a dynamic and evolving process. It requires a continuous examination of one’s motives and a willingness to adjust one’s intentions in accordance with the principles of the path. The practice of Right Intention involves cultivating mindfulness in daily activities, making conscious choices, and aligning one’s actions with the broader goal of liberation.

By harnessing the power of Right Intention, individuals become architects of their own destiny, shaping a life that is conducive to spiritual growth and well-being. This aspect of the path underscores the transformative potential of conscious intentionality, highlighting the interplay between thought, intention, and action in the journey towards awakening.

Right Resolve: 8-fold Path of Dharma

The Eightfold Path of Dharma, also known as the Noble Eightfold Path, is an important aspect in Buddhism, outlining the path to end suffering and achieve self-awakening. Right Resolve, also translated as Right Thought or Right Intention, is the second step in this path.

Right Resolve involves committing oneself mentally and emotionally to the pursuit of enlightenment and liberation. It means aligning our aspirations, desires, and motivations with the principles of the Eightfold Path. This involves three key elements:

1. Renunciation: This is the resolve to free oneself from the attachment to desires. It is not about denying or suppressing desires, but about understanding their transient nature and thus not getting attached to them.

2. Goodwill: This is the resolve to act with kindness and compassion towards all beings, without any ill-will or hostility. It is about understanding the interconnectedness of all beings and treating others with the same respect and dignity that we wish for ourselves.

3. Harmlessness: This is the resolve not to harm others, either through our thoughts, words or actions. It is about understanding the impact of our actions on others and choosing not to act in ways that cause harm or suffering.

Right Resolve sets the mental and emotional groundwork for the rest of the Eightfold Path. By aligning our intentions with these principles, we cultivate the right mindset that enables us to walk the rest of the path successfully. It is a crucial step in the journey towards self-realization and enlightenment.