Right View (Correct Understanding), 8-fold Path

Right view, 1st step on Buddha’s 8-fold path, means a valid and meaningful way of seeing reality. In Hinayana: not-self. Mahayana: emptiness of all phenomena. Vajrayana: Buddha fields, all-pervasive purity and equality.

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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

Introduction to Right View: The Cornerstone of Buddhist Practice

Right Understanding or View is the first ‘fold’ of the 8-fold path of Buddha. It means proper knowing of absolute reality and works in a graded manner, with each level refining the previous.

In the vast realm of Buddhist teachings, Right View stands as the cornerstone of the entire practice. It is the first step on the Noble Eightfold Path, the path that leads to liberation and enlightenment. Right View encompasses the understanding of the fundamental truths of existence and provides a framework for navigating the complexities of life. By cultivating Right View, practitioners gain insight into the nature of suffering, the impermanence of all things, and the interconnectedness of all beings.

The Essence of Right View: Unraveling the Fundamental Truths of Existence

The Buddha taught that life is inherently marked by suffering, known as dukkha. This suffering arises from our attachment to desires and the constant craving for pleasure and avoidance of pain. Right View helps us understand that suffering is an integral part of life and that true liberation lies in accepting and transcending it.

Furthermore, Right View reveals the impermanence of all things. The Buddha taught that everything in the universe is in a constant state of flux, and clinging to anything as permanent only leads to disappointment and dissatisfaction. By understanding the impermanence of all phenomena, practitioners can cultivate a sense of detachment and find peace amidst the ever-changing nature of existence.

Additionally, Right View emphasizes the interconnectedness of all beings. It teaches that we are not separate entities but rather part of an intricate web of interdependence. This understanding fosters compassion and empathy towards all living beings, as we recognize that their suffering is intimately connected to our own. Right View encourages us to cultivate a sense of interconnectedness and work towards the well-being and liberation of all beings.

Cultivating Right View: Navigating the Path to Liberation and Enlightenment

Cultivating Right View is a gradual process that requires diligent practice and contemplation. It begins with studying the teachings of the Buddha and reflecting on their meaning. By immersing ourselves in the scriptures and listening to the guidance of experienced practitioners, we can deepen our understanding of Right View.

Meditation plays a crucial role in cultivating Right View. Through the practice of mindfulness and insight meditation, we develop the ability to observe our thoughts, emotions, and sensations without judgment or attachment. This practice allows us to see the impermanence and interconnectedness of all things directly, leading to a profound shift in our perception of reality.

Furthermore, cultivating Right View involves integrating its principles into our daily lives. It requires us to examine our actions, intentions, and attitudes, and align them with the wisdom of Right View. By living in accordance with the principles of non-harming, compassion, and mindfulness, we gradually transform our minds and bring about positive change in ourselves and the world around us.

Right Understanding in Hinayana

In the Hinayana tradition, Right Understanding is seen as the understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the Three Marks of Existence. The Four Noble Truths outline the nature of suffering, its causes, its cessation, and the path to its cessation. Right View in Hinayana emphasizes the importance of understanding and accepting these truths as a foundation for the entire spiritual journey.

Additionally, the Three Marks of Existence – impermanence, suffering, and non-self – are central to Right Understanding in Hinayana. By deeply contemplating these marks, practitioners gain insight into the nature of reality and develop a clear understanding of the illusory nature of the self.

Right Understanding in Mahayana

In the Mahayana tradition, Right Understanding expands to encompass the understanding of emptiness and the Bodhisattva ideal. Emptiness refers to the realization that all phenomena lack inherent existence and are interdependently originated. This profound insight challenges our conventional understanding of reality and opens the door to limitless compassion and wisdom.

Moreover, Right Understanding in Mahayana emphasizes the Bodhisattva ideal, which is the aspiration to attain enlightenment not only for oneself but for the benefit of all beings. This altruistic motivation is rooted in the understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings and the recognition that our liberation is intimately tied to the liberation of others.

Right Understanding in Vajrayana

In the Vajrayana tradition, Right Understanding is approached through the lens of tantra and the recognition of the innate Buddha nature within all beings. Tantra is a path of transformation that utilizes various skillful means, such as visualization, mantra recitation, and deity yoga, to awaken the inherent wisdom and compassion within us.

Right View in Vajrayana emphasizes the understanding that we already possess the qualities of a fully enlightened being. By recognizing and actualizing our Buddha nature, we can swiftly attain liberation and benefit all beings. This view empowers practitioners to engage in transformative practices that integrate the sacred and the mundane, ultimately leading to the realization of our true nature.

In conclusion, Right View serves as the foundation of Buddhist practice, providing a framework for understanding the fundamental truths of existence and navigating the path to liberation and enlightenment. Whether in Hinayana, Mahayana, or Vajrayana, cultivating Right View is a transformative journey that requires diligent study, meditation, and integration into daily life. By unraveling the essence of Right View, practitioners gain insight into the nature of suffering, impermanence, and interconnectedness, leading to profound personal and spiritual growth. As the Buddha said, “Just as the dawn is the forerunner and precursor of the rising sun, so is Right View the forerunner and precursor of wholesome states.”